"The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) denounced the continued abuse of defamation lawsuits against Panamanian media and journalists and the preventive seizure of their assets as mechanisms of intimidation and gagging to curb critical journalism.
The IAPA endorsed the recent expressions of its regional vice-presidency in Panama, the National Council of Journalists (CNP, by its Spanish acronym), the Forum of Journalists, and the Panamanian Broadcasting Association, regarding the legal harassment against journalist Mauricio Valenzuela of the site Foco, and analyst Annette Planells, of the Independent Movement (Movin). However, on Feb. 8, without yet being convicted, Judge Ana Isabel Terán, of the Sixth Civil Court of the First Judicial Circuit of Panama, ordered the seizure of their assets and properties following a lawsuit for slander and libel filed by former President Ricardo Martinelli (2009-2014)."
