From the microphone to the bench: Dominican figures who have been sued for defamation and insult

Santo Domingo. – In recent years, the rise of digital media and social networks has democratized public opinion in Dominican Republic, but it has also unleashed an avalanche of defamation and slander lawsuits. Communicators, figures from the entertainment industry, and even influencers have crossed the line from opinionated commentary to accusation without evidence, and many are already facing legal consequences for attacking the honor and reputation of others. The most recent case involves the Minister of Interior and Police, Faride Raful, who announced legal actions against those who have spread false accusations against her. Following her statement, two courts of the National District imposed coercive measures against the communicators Ángel Martínez and Ingrid Jorge, known as “La Torita”. Judge Raymundo Mejía, of the First Instruction Court, ordered periodic presentation, a travel ban, and a financial guarantee of RD$500,000 for Martínez. While Judge Yanibet Rivas, of the Sixth Instruction Court, imposed similar restrictions on Jorge, with a bail of RD$200,000. On May 11, 2025, the renowned journalists Marino Zapete, Edith Febles, Altagracia Salazar, and Mariasela Álvarez filed criminal complaints before the Prosecutor's Office of the National District against Juan Aníbal Arrendel, Alfredo de Dios, Pedro Casals, and Aquiles Jiménez, alleging that they have been victims of a systematic defamation campaign on social media and alternative media. This action is joined by communicator Rita Isaura Taveras, who filed a criminal complaint and civil lawsuit for RD$10 million against Aquiles Jiménez, after being falsely linked to alleged state bribes. Former Vice Minister Milagros De Camps Germán also filed a complaint against Ángel Martínez and again against Jiménez, accusing them of leading a digital smear campaign, even manipulating personal images of her minor daughter. Aquiles Jiménez: judicial recidivist The name of Aquiles Jiménez appears in at least 14 legal complaints for defamation. In 2022, he was sentenced to three months in prison and to pay RD$1 million for moral damages, after losing a case against the then Minister of Housing, Carlos Bonilla. His history includes legal battles with journalists, political figures, and artists, being considered by many as a repeat offender of misinformation.

Artists and influencers also raise their voices

The conflict is not exclusive to the political or journalistic sphere. In 2019, presenter Sandra Berrocal sued urban exponent Yomel, el Meloso, for defamation, following statements related to her son. In 2021, influencer Alexandra MVP took communicator Ali David to court, alleging verbal abuse with terms like "transformer" and "sister of Mía Cepeda." The lawsuit included a request for RD$30 million for damage to her image. The commentator Wilson Sued also took legal action when he was accused by Jary Ramírez of "selling American visas." Ramírez ended up retracting publicly. In addition, the communicator Gabi Desangles sued Luinny Corporán and Tamara Martínez for statements she considered defamatory and damaging to her reputation. Defamation lawsuits in the Dominican Republic are based on Law 61-32 on Expression and Dissemination of Thought, as well as Law 53-07 on High Technology Crimes and Offenses, which penalizes insults spread through digital media. Sanctions can range from financial fines to prison sentences of up to one year, depending on the severity of the case and the damage caused.