Congreso de Paraguay

The Paraguayan Senate's regular session, scheduled for 9 a.m., lacked a quorum, leading to an extraordinary session with less room for debate. Senator Walter Kobilansky (National Crusade) proposed fines or restrictions for lawmakers who arrive late, while the President of Congress stated that the rules do not provide for financial penalties.

Paraguay's Congress President Basilio 'Bachi' Núñez stated that the conviction and pretrial detention of former senator Erico Galeano dismantle the narrative that the judiciary is controlled by cartismo. The statement comes amid other political developments, including an administrative proceeding against former senator Javier 'Chaqueñito' Vera for failing to file an asset declaration and an internal dispute in the Colorado Party over the Asunción mayoralty.

Around 15 social and cultural organizations, along with independent figures, are calling on authorities to immediately restore the house of Serafina Dávalos, a Paraguayan cultural heritage site since 2021, which is suffering from advanced deterioration and constant looting.

Javier 'Chaqueñito' Vera, former Paraguayan senator, failed to submit his asset declaration within the legal 15-day period after being removed from Congress. The Comptroller General's Office has opened an administrative proceeding that could result in a fine of up to 100% of his senator salary, about 32 million guaraníes. Vera justified the delay as a consequence of the stress of expulsion and said he 'will have to sell his body' to pay the penalty.

Paraguay's Congress President Basilio "Bachi" Núñez faces a new complaint for allegedly favoring his niece, whose salary rose from G. 4.5 million to G. 9.5 million in less than two years. The accusation includes self-dealing.

Paraguay's Congress President Basilio "Bachi" Núñez faces a new complaint over alleged family favoritism: his niece, hired at just 18 with only a high school diploma, had her salary raised from G. 4,500,000 to G. 9,500,000 in less than two years, a 111% increase. The accusation includes self-serving administration and calls for an investigation by the Public Prosecutor's Office.

Liberal senator Celeste Amarilla harshly criticized the reliability of the electronic voting system and the open-list model, warning of possible fraud in internal elections and advocating a return to closed lists.

The president of Paraguay's Congress, Basilio 'Bachi' Núñez, stated that the country should adopt runoff voting and presidential reelection, advocating for a constitutional reform. He also proposed a 'double unblocking' system for electoral lists and criticized calls for a new audit of voting machines.

Rocío Ojeda, former director of the Animal Protection Commission of the National Congress, denounces that she was dismissed without formal justification and without access to the administrative process, despite having job stability and suffering from multiple sclerosis. She says she continues to work her hours while awaiting the end of her notice period on May 30, and that the President of Congress, Basilio Bachi Núñez, said he was unaware of the case.

Rocío Ojeda, former director of the Animal Care and Protection Commission of the National Congress of Paraguay, reported being dismissed on April 17 without an administrative process or formal explanation, despite suffering from multiple sclerosis. She alleges that her position was assigned to a political operator linked to Senator Rocío Abed, raising suspicions of partisan criteria in legislative administration.

TSJE Minister Jorge Bogarín González stated there is a campaign of hatred and discredit against the voting machines, which have been used in previous elections without issues. The opposition and dissident Colorados request an audit, but the TSJE says it has already been carried out.

The president of the Paraguayan Congress, Basilio "Bachi" Núñez, defended the reliability of electronic voting machines and opened the door for an audit of academic degrees and employee bonuses, amid criticism from the opposition.

Amid the geopolitical dispute between China, Taiwan, and the United States, Paraguay has become a stage for intense diplomatic and economic pressure. Businesspeople, legislators, and political sectors push for a potential shift in relations toward Beijing, while Taiwan tries to maintain the historic alliance.

ANR proxy Eduardo González responded to Senator Lilian Samaniego that the audit of voting machines has already been carried out at the TSJE for all parties. Meanwhile, the National Congress, under the leadership of Basilio Núñez, begins an internal audit of university diplomas of employees, an initiative of Senator Eduardo Nakayama.

Senator Celeste Amarilla (PLRA) strongly criticized the Senate Board for dedicating time to symbolic projects, such as declaring the 'National Day of Vori Vori', while the country faces a public health crisis, lack of medicines, and corruption allegations, especially at the Institute of Social Welfare (IPS).

The president of the Superior Electoral Justice Tribunal (TSJE), Jorge Bogarín, stated that criticism of the voting machines aims to discredit the Paraguayan electoral system, weeks before the simultaneous internal party elections on June 7. Bogarín defended the transparency of the mechanism, implemented since 2021, and attributed the questions to an intention to weaken the model established by Law 6318/2019. Colorado senator Lilian Samaniego reiterated the request for an audit of the machines to the ANR.

President Santiago Peña called for judicial cases involving legislators to be treated with the same criteria, regardless of party, while commenting on the situations of former senators Erico Galeano and Hernán Rivas. He also supported the work of ANEAES in reviewing university degrees.

Dissident Colorado deputy Roberto González (ANR-Añeteté) accused fellow Cartists, their satellites, and liberals functional to HC of preventing interventions in municipalities with mayors suspected of corruption, degrading the image of the National Congress. He cited the case of former senator Hernán Rivas, who reached the presidency of the Jurado de Enjuiciamiento de Magistrados with a fake degree, and other mayors who have been prosecuted or convicted.

Senator Esperanza Martínez denounces resistance from the ruling party to the creation of a special commission to investigate up to 2,500 suspected university degrees, following the scandal of former senator Hernán Rivas that exposed a possible fraud network that may have benefited public office holders, including within the justice system.

The president of the Paraguayan Congress, Basilio "Bachi" Núñez, expressed support for opposition Senator Eduardo Nakayama's proposal to audit all public employees who obtained benefits with suspected university degrees. The initiative follows scandals involving former Colorado Party senators Hernán Rivas and Erico Galeano, and aims to combat corruption and influence peddling in the public sector.