The Puerto Rico Court of Appeals recently upheld a protection order against Ámbar C. Vélez Santiago in a case involving allegations of stalking. The court's decision, made on June 5, 2026, affects both parties involved, particularly Gabriela Jiménez Roldán, who sought the protection order. This ruling is significant as it reinforces the legal framework surrounding stalking and protection orders in Puerto Rico.
The case, docket number TA2026CE00618, began when Gabriela Jiménez Roldán filed for a protection order against Vélez Santiago. The order was issued by the Municipal Court of San Juan after a hearing on May 15, 2026. Jiménez Roldán accused Vélez Santiago of stalking, which included aggressive behavior and threats during a custody exchange involving their children.
According to the court documents, on April 21, 2026, Vélez Santiago allegedly confronted Jiménez Roldán aggressively while she was with their two daughters, aged 10 and 12. The confrontation reportedly involved Vélez Santiago banging on Jiménez Roldán's car and blocking her vehicle to prevent her from leaving. Following this incident, Jiménez Roldán sought legal recourse, leading to the issuance of the protection order.
The Court of Appeals, composed of Judges Rivera Marchand, Mateu Meléndez, and Boria Vizcarrondo, reviewed the case after Vélez Santiago filed a certiorari petition challenging the lower court's decision. In her petition, Vélez Santiago claimed that she was not given a fair opportunity to present her side of the story and expressed concerns for her safety and that of her daughters.
In their ruling, the court denied Vélez Santiago's request to overturn the protection order. The judges found that the lower court had sufficient evidence to support its decision. The opinion stated, "We do not find any reason to intervene with the credibility attributed to the evidence presented by the lower court." This indicates that the court upheld the lower court's assessment of the situation and the credibility of the witnesses.
The court also noted that Vélez Santiago did not provide specific errors in her appeal that warranted overturning the protection order. The judges emphasized that the discretion of the lower court should not be interfered with unless there is clear evidence of bias or error, which they did not find in this case.
This ruling has implications for future cases involving stalking and protection orders in Puerto Rico. It reinforces the importance of the legal protections available to individuals who claim to be victims of stalking. The decision also highlights the court's commitment to upholding the integrity of the judicial process and the credibility of lower court findings.
The court's opinion aligns with the provisions of Law No. 284-1999, known as the Stalking Law in Puerto Rico, which allows courts to issue protection orders for individuals who have been victims of stalking behavior. This law defines stalking as a pattern of behavior intended to intimidate or threaten a person, which was clearly applicable in this case.
Looking ahead, it is unclear whether Vélez Santiago plans to appeal this decision further. The court's ruling is final unless challenged in a higher court. There are no related cases pending that were mentioned in the court's opinion, but the outcome of this case may influence future legal actions regarding stalking and protection orders in Puerto Rico.
Overall, the Court of Appeals' decision serves as a reminder of the legal recourse available to those experiencing stalking and the importance of the courts in protecting individuals from such behavior.