The International Press Institute (IPI) expresses outrage over new legal threats targeting IPI-IMS World Press Freedom Hero Gustavo Gorriti in retaliation for his investigative journalism, which exposed widespread political and judicial corruption in Peru. IPI calls on Peruvian authorities to immediately cease the weaponisation of political power against Gorriti and all members of the media who report on public interest topics.聽
In a June 12 plenary session, Peru鈥檚 Congress a report from a congressional commission recommending criminal charges against Gorriti, as well as several prosecutors who negotiated a major legal settlement that followed the Lava Jato investigation, one of the biggest corruption scandals in Latin American history, some of Peru鈥檚 most senior officials.聽
The congressional commission recommending charges against Gorriti had been tasked with investigating a agreement signed in 2019 between Peruvian prosecutors and Brazilian construction company Odebrecht following the Lava Jato probe. The commission, chaired by congressman Alejandro Mu帽ante of the right-wing Popular Renewal party, has faced criticism for its lack of transparency and , given that the Popular Renewal party is itself in the context of the Lava Jato case.聽
The head of the Popular Renewal party, Rafael L贸pez Aliaga, has also made directly against Gorriti, from he be 鈥渢aken,鈥� to saying “we have to get rid of the gentleman once and for all.”聽
Gorriti, as founder and editor-in-chief of the Peruvian investigative outlet , played a leading role in uncovering the depth and breadth of the bribery scheme, and the massive anti-corruption investigation that followed, which became known as the 鈥淟ava Jato鈥� case, or 鈥淥peration Car Wash.鈥澛�
In 2018, Gorriti launched a related journalistic probe, known as Lava Juez, into corruption in the Peruvian judicial system, which resulted in across the country鈥檚 government, further cementing Gorriti鈥檚 reputation as a leading advocate for transparency and independent journalism in Peru.聽
The congressional commission鈥檚 report accuses Gorriti of influence peddling, bribery, and obstruction of justice, and alleges that Gorriti offered 鈥渕edia support鈥� to prosecutors involved in the Lava Jato investigations in return for influencing decisions, without citing evidence. The charges have been by the Latin American journalistic community as baseless, given the widespread acclaim and international recognition Gorriti鈥檚 reporting on Lava Jato has received, and the fact that Gorriti in the negotiations that resulted in the 2019 settlement with Odebrecht.聽
Notably, Peru鈥檚 attorney general, Tom谩s G谩lvez, who will decide whether to pursue criminal charges against Gorriti, is one of the in the Lava Juez probe.聽
鈥淭hese latest threats against Gustavo Gorriti are nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to intimidate an independent journalist that dared to hold authorities accountable,鈥� said IPI Executive Director Scott Griffen. 鈥淭he IPI global network stands in solidarity with Gustavo and commends him once again for his decades-long, steadfast commitment to investigative reporting in the service of Peruvian democracy and the public鈥檚 right to know.鈥�
Since IDL-Reporteros鈥� reporting on the Lava Jato investigation, Gorriti has faced sustained from far-right activists and politicians. Often, the attacks were led by the subjects of his own past investigations. In March 2024, Peru鈥檚 Supreme Prosecutor’s Office announced a into Gorriti鈥檚 reporting on the Lava Jato case, and requested access to the private communications Gorriti had with sources. Gorriti , maintaining his innocence and insistence that the investigation was an attack on press freedom.
A veteran Latin American journalist, Gorriti is known for his decades of watchdog reporting on government corruption, rebel groups, and drug trafficking. Over his journalistic career, Gorriti has been kidnapped, forced into exile, and threatened with death. In 2025, IPI named Gorriti a 2025 World Press Freedom Hero in recognition of his groundbreaking work, despite the forces against him.