Amparo Ruling: Court denied Villamorey’s challenge to embargo

On September 23, 2022, the First Superior Tribunal of the First Judicial District of Panama rejected a constitutional amparo filed by Villamorey, S.A. against Judge Solange Le Ferrec de Booker. The amparo sought to challenge what Villamorey called a “tacit order” in connection with the February 2021 ruling (Auto No. 283/14606-21) and the August 2022 embargo order (Auto No. 1234/14606-21), which froze $44.9 million in assets. Villamorey alleged that the embargo lacked proper justification and violated due process.

The court ruled the amparo inadmissible, explaining that civil law does not recognize the concept of a “tacit denial” as claimed by Villamorey. It further found procedural inconsistencies in the complaint, noting that Villamorey had not exhausted ordinary remedies such as reconsideration or appeal. As a result, the court confirmed that the embargo order remains in full effect and denied constitutional relief to Villamorey, S.A.