Peruvian journalist Cesar Hildebrandt has responded on his podcast to a notary letter sent by Argentine businessman Damian Valenzuela Mayer over recent investigative reporting.
Hildebrandt stated on Monday that Valenzuela should not intimidate his news outlet. He acknowledged that civil lawsuits filed against the investor had not resulted in criminal convictions, but noted that civil causes had already concluded in judicial rulings.
Valenzuela, who is linked to President Keiko Fujimori, previously warned that he would file a lawsuit. In a message posted on social media, the businessman said he would establish the distinction between a real journalist and a slanderer. Hildebrandt retorted that Valenzuela appeared to believe he was speaking to miserable communicators who crawl before arrogance and money.
Addressing the nature of the legal dispute, Hildebrandt admitted that the case was civil rather than criminal. However, he defended the journalistic importance of the story, arguing that the economic magnitude of the court ruling was one of the primary reasons justifying media coverage. He added that court records and subsequent proceedings showed that a creditor had requested asset garnishment measures to enforce compliance with the sentence.
Political influence and historical comparisons
Hildebrandt invited Valenzuela to carry out his legal threats in the Peruvian Judiciary. The journalist claimed that Valenzuela had likely spoken on multiple occasions with Fernando Rospigliosi, alleging that Rospigliosi held the judicial system under custody and extortion. Hildebrandt suggested Valenzuela should proceed with demanding the million-dollar compensation he expected.
Drawing comparisons, Hildebrandt remarked that an arrogant Argentine might attempt to achieve what others had long sought, comparing the behavior to Argentine individuals who attacked Spanish players at the World Cup final. He said Valenzuela might perform another significant favor for Fujimori alongside his advisory role.
Hildebrandt also referenced former president Alberto Fujimori, saying Valenzuela might attempt to obtain from the courts what the former leader sought through sinister plans created at the National Intelligence Service, known as the SIN, which resulted in the death of Maria Barreto. Hildebrandt asserted that his news team would continue investigating spa visits, uncovering compromising relationships, and challenging powerful figures.
Alberto Fujimori governed Peru during the 1990s, when the SIN operated as the state intelligence agency under military and executive control. Hildebrandt is a veteran investigative journalist in Peru who hosts an independent news podcast and publishes the weekly investigative print magazine Hildebrandt en sus Trece.
Investigation into spa meetings and advisor role
The legal dispute follows a report published by Hildebrandt en sus Trece detailing meetings between Fujimori and Valenzuela. According to the weekly publication, President Fujimori and Valenzuela coincided at least four times at the Tomiko spa, located in the Santa Catalina neighborhood of the La Victoria district in Lima.
The report identified Valenzuela as one of Fujimori's principal advisors during the recent presidential campaign. Valenzuela Mayer, a 51-year-old businessman from Tucuman, Argentina, presents himself as an attorney and chief executive of an investment firm that claims to operate alongside European banks in several countries.
Records cited in the investigation show that Valenzuela has visited Lima 11 times, with his most recent trip taking place between July 25 and August 1. He was also present inside Congress for Fujimori's presidential swearing-in ceremony on July 28.
Statements from government officials
President Fujimori addressed the claims during a live broadcast on TikTok, confirming that she visited the Tomiko hair salon on July 11 prior to taking office. She described Valenzuela as part of a group of foreign friends who assisted her during the presidential campaign, alongside two other individuals.
Minister Marco Vinelli also acknowledged meeting Valenzuela during the campaign period. Vinelli confirmed that Valenzuela was among those who held conversations with the president, though he declined to clarify whether the businessman held any formal role as an official advisor.
