Derlis Maidana

Hernán Rivas signed 31 resolutions of Paraguay’s Magistrates’ Disciplinary Tribunal (JEM) after leaving office—15 of them after his replacement took office—and voted to dismiss 42 cases against judges.

The Paraguayan Senate postponed, for lack of a quorum, a vote on an independent audit of voting machines ahead of the October 4 municipal elections after governing-party senators left the chamber; the request arose from possible inconsistencies in election records, with no fraud yet proven.

The Senate approved changes that would broaden the possibility of removing and auctioning abandoned vehicles in Paraguay after six months without a claim, but the bill returned to the Chamber of Deputies and is not yet in force.

Rumors of possible impeachment proceedings against Supreme Court justices are dividing Paraguay’s Colorado Party, although no formal proposal exists. Senator Derlis Maidana said Santiago Peña denied any government initiative, while Mario Varela acknowledged discussions that could involve Liberal senators, Juan Bartolomé Ramírez and a possible political move after the municipal elections.

Paraguay's Senate approved a bill lowering the minimum age for app drivers to 19 and tractor operators to 18, sending the proposal back to the Chamber of Deputies.

The Paraguayan Senate will decide this Wednesday on the renewal of its representatives on the Jury for the Impeachment of Magistrates and the Magistracy Council, with Senator Derlis Maidana leaving the JEM and Mario Varela seeking to retain his position, while the ruling party attempts to preserve its influence within the justice system.

The Paraguayan Senate passed on Tuesday, June 2, the bill declaring a national road safety emergency for one year, authorizing the ANTSV to adopt exceptional measures for the prevention and enforcement of traffic accidents, including the use of automated speed cameras and radar systems, despite opposition criticism over the lack of technical studies and the broad powers granted to the agency.