Bajo Lupa is an investigative media outlet focused on oversight and corruption in Latin America. We put those who hold or aspire to hold public office under the microscope: candidates, legislators, government officials, and businesspeople with government contracts. Specifically, our work consists of gathering the information about them contained in documents and resolutions, organizing it, and clearly indicating what has been proven and what has not.
What it means to put something under the magnifying glass
A magnifying glass doesn’t invent anything. It merely magnifies what already exists—that is, it clearly reveals what was already there to be seen clearly. That’s how we understand our work. Therefore, we do not fabricate accusations nor do we repeat them simply because they are circulating. Instead, we take every allegation leveled against a public figure and examine it closely: who made it, when, with what evidence, and how the person involved responded.
In the end, the result is a dossier, not a verdict. That is why our headlines ask questions rather than pass judgment, and our conclusions distinguish between three things: what a court or authority has already ruled; what the press has documented but remains under debate; and what has no basis other than an anonymous source or a rumor.
Our Method, Step by Step
1. Inventory of Allegations
First, we gather all public allegations against the person, without filtering them yet. Then we number and date them. This inventory serves as the backbone of the case file and is always presented in a table.
2. Tracing the original source
For each allegation, we search for the document from which it originates: the ruling, the judgment, the deed, the audit report, or the news article that first published it. If the source is anonymous or unique, we also note that. In addition, we link everything that can be linked.
3. Level of substantiation
Next, we assign each episode one of three levels:
| Level | What defines it | How we handle it |
|---|---|---|
| Final ruling | An official decision by a court, an electoral body, or an audit agency | We treat it as a fact |
| Documented but disputed | Solid reporting with conflicting accounts or no judicial decision | We present both sides of the story |
| Unsubstantiated | Anonymous source, single source, or social media rumor | We mention it as an accusation and note that it is unproven |
4. Response
Before publishing, we offer the person under investigation an opportunity to respond. Additionally, their denials appear alongside each allegation, not in a footnote. If the response arrives later, we incorporate it and date the update.
5. Key Facts and Frequently Asked Questions
Finally, each report opens with a section of verified facts and closes with frequently asked questions. This allows a reader in a hurry, a journalist, or an AI assistant to cite the facts accurately, along with the date of the last verification.
What We Refuse to Do
- Call someone corrupt if they have not been convicted by a court.
- Publish unverified social media screenshots or audio recordings as if they were evidence.
- Accept money from political parties, governments, or the people we write about.
- Mix paid content with investigative reporting.
Corrections
If you find an error, please contact us via the contact page. We then review each report, make corrections when appropriate, and note the correction at the bottom of the article along with the date. In addition, case files are updated when a court issues a ruling or a new document becomes available.
Who Writes
Sabelia Griego Pedroza
Investigative journalist and public policy analyst. Specifically, she specializes in political cases, oversight of government power, and accountability in Latin America. She works with official documents, court rulings, commercial registries, and financial schemes linked to public figures and electoral processes.
Her methodology is based on documentary verification using primary sources. That is why her reports prioritize verification over speculation. She covers three areas:
- Political careers. Files on candidates for elected office, track records in public office, and legal controversies.
- Financial and corporate networks. Business relationships, commercial litigation, and corporate structures with an impact on the public sphere.
- Data and verification. Court rulings, debt records, and documented background information.
All of her profiles are available on her author page.
Two languages, one report
Bajo Lupa publishes in Spanish and English. In addition, each file has a version in the other language with the same facts, the same sources, and the same verification date. Unless otherwise indicated, the original sources are in Spanish.
Legal Information
Our legal documents are included in the legal notice, privacy policy, cookie policy, and terms and conditions of use.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Bajo Lupa?
A digital investigative media outlet focused on corruption and the oversight of power in Latin America. Specifically, it publishes reports that classify each allegation by its level of substantiation, with links to the original sources.
Does Bajo Lupa accuse the people it investigates?
No. Instead, it compiles existing allegations, identifies who made them and what evidence they are based on, and includes the response from the person concerned. A Bajo Lupa dossier is a verified inventory, not a verdict.
What is the difference between “proven” and “documented but disputed”?
“Proven” refers to something that an authority has already definitively ruled on, such as a confirmed fine or a court sentence. In contrast, “documented but disputed” refers to something that the press has reported with substantial evidence but for which there is still no judicial decision or there are conflicting accounts.
How do I request a correction or submit my rebuttal?
Through the contact page. We then review each message, make corrections if necessary, and publish the rebuttal alongside the corresponding allegation, with the update date.
Who is behind Bajo Lupa?
It is an independent editorial project written by investigative journalist Sabelia Griego Pedroza. Therefore, it does not receive funding from political parties, governments, or the individuals under investigation.