Dominican communicator 'La Tora' surrenders after arrest order in defamation case

A Dominican court issued an arrest order against communicator Claudina Pérez Ramírez, known as “La Tora,” after she failed to appear at a hearing in a defamation and insult case brought by journalist Iluminada Muñoz. Pérez voluntarily surrendered about an hour later and now faces the proceedings. Source: Listín Diario

The case

Muñoz filed a criminal complaint in 2024, alleging a systematic campaign of discredit that her lawyers say spanned more than five years across various platforms. Source: El Caribe The Public Prosecutor's Office presented a formal accusation for events allegedly occurring in 2024. Source: El Caribe Judge Deiby Timoteo Peguero declared Pérez in rebellion, ordered her arrest, and imposed a travel ban. Source: Listín Diario

Conflicting accounts

Pérez claims she was not properly notified of the hearings, stating: “If I was not well notified, how can I come to a case that is published on social media?” Source: Hoy Her accuser's lawyer, Emery Colomby Rodríguez, insists Pérez was duly notified at her home and has “systematically evaded” justice since April 2024. Source: Listín Diario Pérez also revealed she has her own active lawsuit against Muñoz, alleging defamation in a video on the Cachicha platform, and disputes the timeline, saying the conflict spans six years, not two. Source: Diario Libre

What's next

Muñoz says she trusts the justice system and will take the case “to the last consequences.” Source: El Día She announced that any economic compensation would be donated to communication initiatives and cancer-related charities in the Dominican Republic. Source: El Caribe The hearing is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. before Judge Peguero. Source: Diario Libre