Mexico: PEN International Condemns Judicial Harassment of Hernán Gómez Bruera and Penguin Random House
“The use of the judicial system to intimidate and silence journalists represents one of the most alarming forms of contemporary censorship. At PEN International, we stand in full solidarity with Hernán Gómez Bruera and Penguin Random House Mexico, and we urge the Mexican authorities to guarantee their right to investigate, publish and dissent without fear of reprisal. Freedom of expression lies at the heart of every democracy, and it must not be subject to political power or private interests.” — Burhan Sonmez, President of PEN International
28 May 2025 - Mexican journalist and political analyst Hernán Gómez Bruera continues to face judicial harassment and threats following the publication of his books Traición en Palacio (Grijalbo, 2023) and El ministro del poder: un infiltrado en la 4T (Grijalbo, 2025). These works allege instances of corruption and influence-peddling within the Mexican judiciary and Supreme Court.
During the launch event on 20 May 2025, the author publicly denounced judicial harassment from the former legal adviser to the Mexican Presidency, Julio Scherer Ibarra, and other judicial authorities, aimed at preventing the book’s publication and promotion. Despite ongoing legal proceedings, threats and intimidation, both the author and the publishing house proceeded with the release.
At the event, Gómez Bruera confirmed that he and Penguin Random House Mexico are now facing three lawsuits—two civil and one criminal—which it could be considered as part of a broader strategy to suppress publication and journalistic work, and to limit the exercise of free expression.
In 2023 and 2024, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), ARTICLE 19 Mexico and Central America Office, and Propuesta Cívica condemned the judicial harassment against Hernán Gómez Bruera in relation to his earlier book, Traición en Palacio: El negocio de la justicia en la 4T (Betrayal in the Palace: The Business of Justice in the 4T), following the initial defamation suit filed against him.
Over the past decade, Mexico has seen a sharp increase in judicial harassment targeting journalists and investigations that bring to light issues of public interest.
According to ARTICLE 19, beyond constituting judicial harassment, the lawsuits against Gómez Bruera may qualify as a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP). The organisation notes that such lawsuits often serve as indirect censorship, aiming to intimidate and silence journalists through costly and protracted legal processes.
According to the journalist’s legal team, the case of judicial harassment and SLAPPs against Hernán Gómez Bruera will be brought before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
PEN International, in its Resolution on Criminal Defamation and Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation, acknowledges that SLAPPs have a chilling effect and erode freedom of expression. Criminal defamation lawsuits exhaust their victims. They rob them of their time, of their money, of their vital energy. Crucially, they are punitive and can lead to self-censorship and discourage the investigative journalism that is so necessary in a healthy and functioning democracy.
PEN International called on all governments, including that of Mexico, to adopt the following:
Procedural rules to allow courts to early dismiss SLAPP claims;
Procedural rules ensuring a fair award of costs and relief to rebalance the position of the parties;
Provisions on assistance, support, and protection for SLAPP targets, including legal advice free of charge.
PEN International specifically urges the Mexican authorities to:
Cease the judicial harassment of Hernán Gómez Bruera and provide full protection against threats or potential harm to his safety;
Recognise journalism as an activity in the public interest, as established by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights;
Guarantee the full exercise of freedom of expression;
Refrain from using the judicial system or official channels to hinder or undermine the work of investigative journalists.
Note to Editors:
For more information, please contact Alicia Quiñones, Head of the Americas Region, at PEN International, email: [email protected]
For media queries, please contact Sabrina Tucci, PEN International Communications and Campaigns Manager, [email protected]