The National Directorate of Public Procurement (DNCP) in Paraguay has officially opened an administrative inquiry into the Qatari company Doha Holding Group LLC and several individuals associated with it. This action follows the termination of a significant contract with Petróleos Paraguayos (Petropar) for the supply of gasoil, which the firm failed to fulfill.
The DNCP's decision, formalized through Resolution N° 1259/26 dated May 13, 2026, targets Doha Holding Group LLC and individuals including Mohammed Hussein Alquzweeni, Khalifa bin Hamad Al-Thani, Julio Ernesto Jiménez Granda, Saad Doukali, Jamal Bendaoui, and Nimr Abdalati. The inquiry aims to determine if their actions violated Paraguay's Public Supply and Procurement Law N° 7021/22. This measure is based on a recommendation from the prior investigation, Dictamen DNCP/DGAJ N° 4349/26.
According to ABC Color, the DNCP has appointed lawyer Tessa Lima as the investigating judge for the administrative inquiry. DNCP Director Agustín Encina explained that while Alejandro Domínguez Pérez is listed as a company representative in DNCP records, he was not involved in the procurement process itself, despite his name appearing in a power of attorney. Encina stated that Petropar provided all necessary documents, and after requesting additional information, the DNCP concluded that Domínguez Pérez did not participate in the process.
Doha Holding Group LLC faces potential sanctions under Law N° 7021, which include fines, reprimands, and disqualifications. These sanctions can also extend to individuals linked to the company, such as directors, administrators, or ultimate beneficiaries, to prevent the evasion of penalties.
Petropar rescinded the contract with Doha Holding on April 20, 2026, after the company failed to deliver 100,000 metric tons of gasoil, valued at over US$ 61 million, despite receiving ten extensions. Petropar subsequently executed a performance guarantee of US$ 3,050,000 on April 28, 2026, issued by Banco Continental. Notably, this guarantee was issued on December 29, 2025, more than a year after the contract was signed on September 30, 2024.
The initial performance guarantee provided by Doha Holding included a sworn statement and a document from Qatar International Islamic Bank, signed by Sheikh Khalifa Hamad Al-Thani, who was later incorporated as the legal representative after DNCP observations. The contract also drew attention due to the company's local connections, including Alejandro Domínguez Pérez, son of CONMEBOL President Alejandro Domínguez, and Saad Doukali among its representatives. Julio Jiménez, brother of CONMEBOL's legal director, also reportedly authorized contract addendums on behalf of the company, despite not being formally listed as such in DNCP records, and is now subject to the inquiry.
During the previous Petropar administration, led by Eddie Jara, the state-owned company defended the contract, citing potential savings due to the offered price of US$ 610 per metric ton compared to international market values, a figure that had been questioned as unrealistic at the time of its announcement.