# Criminal legal actions in Panama and Peru

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/criminal-legal-actions-in-panama-and-peru
> Updated: 2026-10-06T21:19:59.000Z. Sources: 18. Developments: 2.

In Panama, legal proceedings have expanded to include high-level corruption investigations. Enrique Lau Cortés, the former director of the Caja de Seguro Social (CSS), has been placed under house arrest amid allegations of money laundering and unjustified enrichment. Prosecutors have cited evidence of suspicious financial transactions, including the triangulation of Siacap checks and the purchase of luxury real estate, such as a beach property and an apartment valued at over $623,000. While defense representatives suggest an enrichment total of $122,000, investigative bodies indicate potential state losses could be significantly higher.

Furthermore, the Panamanian Attorney General’s Office has secured provisional detention for a former local bank executive connected to the ‘Pandora’ case. This investigation targets an alleged criminal organization that utilized the E-Tax system to misappropriate tax credits and eliminate taxpayer accounts.

These developments follow previous criminal actions in the country, such as the provisional detention of a 28-year-old man for an aggravated theft at the José Santos Puga school in Veraguas on September 18, 2026.

In Peru, the Superior Court of Justice of Puno previously issued a life imprisonment sentence to José Luis Gonzalo Puraca for an aggravated robbery occurring in June 2023, which included an order for S/ 30,000 in civil reparations.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-06: Enrique Lau Cortés placed under house arrest in Panama corruption probe

Former Panama CSS director Enrique Lau Cortés is under house arrest amid money laundering and enrichment probes, while authorities in Panama and elsewhere continue various corruption and theft investigations.

15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/criminal-arrests-and-property-recovery-reported-in-panama-and-argentina

### 2026-09-30: Legal actions taken in Panama and Peru following theft and robbery incidents

Legal actions have been taken in Panama and Peru regarding violent crimes: a suspect faces detention for school theft in Veraguas, while a man received a life sentence for robbing a student in Puno.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/legal-actions-taken-in-panama-and-peru-following-theft-and-robbery-incidents

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Cite as: Criminal legal actions in Panama and Peru. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/criminal-legal-actions-in-panama-and-peru