The minister of the National Anti-Drug Secretariat (SENAD) defended an operation in Paraguay that killed an indigenous leader and a teacher, denying summary executions in the face of criticism from politicians and human rights groups.
Ever Villalba
Pytagua coverage mentioning Ever Villalba.
Senator denounces overpricing of up to 81% in MOPC bids, while minister denies irregularities and seeks to calm lawmakers with details on a financing package for works.
The Paraguayan Senate approved in committee a $286 million loan for an integration corridor, while opposition senators accused the Ministry of Public Works of corruption for alleged overpricing in tenders, leading to the summons of Minister Claudia Centurión to provide explanations.
An attack attributed by Paraguay’s government to the EPP and allied criminal groups killed three people at a police post, exposed intelligence failures, and prompted political criticism and security-policy changes.
Senator Ever Villalba formally denounced to the Senate that the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC), led by Claudia Centurión, overcharged by more than US$157 million in 13 tenders, excluding companies with bids close to the reference price in order to award contracts to more expensive consortiums, and requested that the minister provide clarifications.
The IPS (Instituto de Previsión Social, Paraguay's social security institute) and pharmaceutical companies have established a working group to combat the severe medication shortage crisis that is forcing beneficiaries to pay for treatments out of their own pockets.
The Paraguayan Senate approved a declaration demanding that the Minister of the Interior, Enrique Riera, provide a transparent explanation for the death of a 22-year-old man during a police operation in Alberdi, investigating a possible case of excessive use of force.
Senator Rafael Filizzola stated that Paraguayan consumers are paying international prices for beef due to the sector's strong export orientation — around 90% of production is destined for the foreign market — and the high market concentration, in which five slaughterhouses account for approximately 85% of the country's beef processing. He voiced support for a bill that proposes capping the profit margin at 10% on three popular beef cuts.
Senator Ever Villalba denounced an alleged fraud of 100,000 votes in the PLRA internal elections, claiming irregularities in the vote count that would have benefited Alcides Riveros, the party's current elected president.
Alcides Riveros was elected president of the PLRA, Paraguay's main opposition party, with the support of nearly 90 percent of liberal mayors, as well as the backing of senators, deputies, and governors, aiming to strengthen the party ahead of the 2026 municipal elections and the 2028 presidential election.
An armed group carried out a planned heist on Tuesday morning, May 26, in Ciudad del Este, stealing approximately $200,000 from employees of the importer Vía Brasil as they were heading to a bank along Route PY02. On the same day, a separate robbery occurred involving employees of Distribuidora Renacer, with four suspects arrested and part of the money recovered.
Experts advocate for the use of prescribed burns as a controlled management tool to reduce the buildup of combustible material and prevent disastrous wildfires in Paraguay.