Former Justice Minister Cecilia Pérez has denounced the Council of the Magistrature (CM) as a 'rotten justice system' after it voted 7-1 to include prosecutor Aldo Cantero in the terna for a criminal court judge position in Asunción. According to Ultima Hora, Pérez criticized the decision, highlighting that Cantero faces multiple allegations, including political protection, while his rival, anti-drug prosecutor Deny Yoon Pak, has handled high-profile cases like Operation A Ultranza.
Pérez specifically targeted council members Enrique Berni and Gerardo Bobadilla, accusing Berni of promising to depoliticize justice while allegedly doing favors for the late Eulalio Gomes and receiving judges who released a suspect known as 'Cachorrão.' She called Bobadilla a 'puppet without independent capacity,' more concerned with not betraying the allegedly corrupt Jorge Bogarín than doing his job.
Council President Gerardo Bobadilla proposed Cantero, citing his academic record—master's in criminal sciences, specialist in criminal law—and 24 years of service, along with the highest evaluation score of 616.2 points. The proposal was supported by members Alicia Pucheta, Enrique Berni, César Ruffinelli, Gustavo Miranda, Deputy Édgar Olmedo, and Senator Édgar López. Only Supreme Court Minister Luis María Benítez Riera voted for Pak, who scored 567.47 points.
Senator Édgar López openly admitted to political vote-trading, stating, 'We are eight and each has his requests, and in politics here in the Senate or the Council, we often vote; even if we disagree, we have to do it. I had candidates and you need the votes of colleagues.' Ultima Hora notes that López's brother, lawyer Nelson López, has accused Pak before the Magistrates' Jury.
Cantero defended his selection, saying, 'I am not here to please everyone, and I will surely have many enemies. Prosecutors handle many cases with great political relevance.' The article lists several controversies involving Cantero: he indicted former President Mario Abdo Benítez in a case later dismissed; was denounced for failing to investigate seven police officers; was named in leaked audios suggesting he requested money for his actions; and sought dismissal of a case involving a allegedly fake diploma of Senator Hernán Rivas.
In contrast, Pak has led major drug trafficking investigations, including Operation A Ultranza, which dismantled an international cocaine network linked to Miguel Ángel Insfrán and Sebastián Marset, and the case against former Senator Erico Galeano, convicted of money laundering and criminal association.
Pérez concluded that the council 'wrote one of its most shameful pages' with this terna, favoring a prosecutor with a checkered record over one who has sacrificed his safety to fight narcotrafficking.