difamar

Difamar is a verb in Spanish meaning to harm a person’s reputation by disseminating statements about them to others that are false or not sufficiently proven. The act can be spoken or written and is often addressed under the broader concept of defamation. Difamar implies a risk or knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for the truth, unlike mere criticism.

Etymology traces the word to Latin diffamare, passing into Spanish as difamar and related forms such as difamación in several Spanish-speaking regions.

Legal context and scope vary by jurisdiction. In many Spanish-speaking countries, difamación (or the related terms difamar, injurias, and calumnias) can be a civil wrong and, in some places, a criminal offense. Some systems separate calumnias (false accusations of a crime) from injurias (insults or statements harming honor) and may treat difamación as a broader harm to reputation. Typical elements in many regimes include: publication or communication to a third party, identification of the person defamed, harm to honor or reputation, and the presence of falsity or malice. Remedies may include apologies, retractions, damages, or criminal penalties where applicable.

Defenses commonly recognized include the truth of the statements, particularly when they concern a matter of public interest; expressions of opinion that are clearly labeled as such; consent by the person defamed; and certain privileges or fair-comment protections in appropriate contexts. The balance between protecting reputation and guaranteeing freedom of expression varies by country and case law.