The home of Panamanian journalist Rolando Rodríguez, an associate editor at La Prensa in Panama and part of a team investigating business connections with the Cuban regime, was deliberately set on fire in the early hours of Saturday morning.
According to reports from Diario de Cuba, La Prensa, and Transparencia Venezuela, this marks the first attack of its kind against a journalist in Panama. Rodríguez was not at home during the incident, but his wife was inside and managed to escape without injury.
The attack took place around 2:30 AM in the San Miguelito district of Panama City. It resulted in the destruction of two vehicles parked in the garage and caused damage to parts of the house. Firefighters were called to the scene to extinguish the blaze.
Security footage from a nearby residence recorded a man approaching the house with a backpack strapped to his chest. Moments later, the flames could be seen in the video.
La Prensa reported that the man exited a taxi and threw an object that led to the explosion.
The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) strongly condemned the attack, labeling it as "extremely serious." They demanded an immediate investigation to identify those responsible and called for protection assurances for Rodríguez and his family. As of now, no arrests have been made.
Unveiling Corruption
Rodríguez was part of the transnational investigation "Family Businesses," coordinated by the Latin American Center for Investigative Journalism (CLIP) in collaboration with La Prensa, Armando.info, Transparencia Venezuela, and Diario de Cuba.
This investigative work uncovered the commercial links of the Carretero Napolitano family—Panamanian businessmen—with the Venezuelan regime and Cuba, documenting how companies tied to Ramón Carretero Napolitano secured over $800 million in contracts with the Venezuelan government since 2014, including oil triangulation to Cuba.
Rodríguez contributed to reports like "Destination Cuba: The Lost Trail of Venezuelan Oil" and "Ramón Carretero and the Business of Scarcity in Cuba," published between July and September this year.
At the time of the attack, Rodríguez was preparing a new report on Roberto Carretero's business activities in Panama, Ramón's brother.
Just hours before the fire, La Prensa received a letter from Roberto Carretero's lawyer, warning that the upcoming publication would "damage her client's reputation."
The three Carretero brothers—Ramón, Vicente, and Roberto—were sanctioned by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury in December 2025.
Earlier, in October 2026, they filed a criminal complaint for libel and slander against journalist Sabrina Bacal and the media outlets Armando.info and Praxis, but the Prosecutor's Office provisionally dismissed it due to lack of evidence.
The investigation also detailed connections with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, known as "El Cangrejo" and grandson of Raúl Castro, through shared flight records with Ramón Carretero.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Panamanian Journalist's Home Attack
Who is Rolando Rodríguez?
Rolando Rodríguez is an associate editor at La Prensa in Panama and was involved in an investigation into business ties with the Cuban regime.
What did the investigation "Family Businesses" uncover?
The investigation revealed commercial links between the Carretero Napolitano family and both the Venezuelan regime and Cuba, highlighting significant government contracts and oil dealings.
What was the response of the Inter American Press Association (IAPA) to the attack?
The IAPA condemned the attack as extremely serious and called for an immediate investigation and protective measures for Rodríguez and his family.