Rubén Sánchez files countersuit against Leonardo Aldridge
The radio host responded to a defamation lawsuit by countersuing for $500,000 and asking the court to dismiss the original claim, saying the insult was opinion rather than a false factual statement.
File photoThe short version
- Metro Puerto Rico reported that Rubén Sánchez filed an answer and $500,000 countersuit against Leonardo Aldridge on Monday
- NotiCel reported that Sánchez argues calling Aldridge "pendejo" was an opinion and not a false factual claim that can support defamation
- Metro Puerto Rico reported that Sánchez claims the dispute originated in a judicial proceeding involving a minor
- NotiCel reported that Aldridge filed the original suit after an on-air insult on August 29, 2025 seeking $1 million
Response to defamation suit
Radio presenter Rubén Sánchez filed an answer and a countersuit for half a million dollars against lawyer and commentator Leonardo "Leo" Aldridge on Monday. The filing came after Aldridge sued him for defamation over an on-air insult, Metro Puerto Rico reported.
Sánchez, through attorneys Gian Oliver Martínez and Ramón Rosario Cortés, asked the court to dismiss the defamation claim. He argued that calling Aldridge "pendejo" was an expression of opinion rather than a false factual imputation. NotiCel reported that the defense stated a mere insult does not constitute defamation when it does not communicate verifiable false information about a person.
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Dispute over damages
NotiCel reported that Aldridge filed his original lawsuit after the August 29, 2025 on-air insult, seeking $1 million for alleged reputational, economic and emotional damages. Sánchez's filing also seeks attorney's fees for alleged temerity.
Metro Puerto Rico reported that Aldridge had presented his demand on July 28, 2026 claiming compensation for damages and emotional distress caused by the insult broadcast on radio.
Where the sources differ
Both Metro Puerto Rico and NotiCel reported that Sánchez filed an answer and countersuit on Monday in response to Aldridge's defamation lawsuit and that Sánchez argues the word "pendejo" is opinion rather than a false factual statement. Metro Puerto Rico reported that Sánchez is countersuing for $500,000 while NotiCel reported that Aldridge originally sought $1 million. The outlets differ on the filing date of Aldridge's original complaint, with Metro Puerto Rico stating July 28, 2026 and NotiCel stating the insult occurred on August 29, 2025. Metro Puerto Rico attributes the account of a prior judicial proceeding involving a minor, a text message exchange and canceled conversations to Sánchez's version of events.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state whether the court has scheduled any hearings on the answer, countersuit or motion to dismiss. They do not indicate the current status of any judicial proceeding involving a minor that the filings reference. The sources provide no information on any response Aldridge may file to the countersuit or on any potential trial date.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Reporting Rubén Sánchez responde a Leo Aldridge y lo contrademanda
- Reporting Rubén Sánchez le riposta a Aldridge y plantea que no puede probar la falsedad del insulto
How we checked this
Metro Puerto Rico and NotiCel both covered Sánchez's Monday filing and his argument that the insult was not defamatory. Details of the prior dispute, including the judicial proceeding involving a minor, rest solely on the version presented in Sánchez's court documents as reported by Metro Puerto Rico.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.