Paraguay's Comptroller General's Office has initiated a summary proceeding against former Senator Javier 'Chaqueñito' Vera for failing to submit his sworn asset declaration within the legal 15-business-day deadline after leaving office. Vera claims forgetfulness and says he is organizing the documentation, while the Comptroller's Office warns that the fine could reach 100% of his salary, depending on the days of delay.
Hernán Rivas
Exsenador cartista envuelto en un escándalo por presunto uso de un título universitario falso.
Liberal deputy Freddy Franco defended his bill establishing the 'National Day of Vori Vori' and harshly criticized Senator Dionisio Amarilla, accusing him of being two-faced due to his closeness to the Colorado government. Franco suggested the debate over the typical dish was used to divert attention from the scandal involving former Senator Hernán Rivas's fake diplomas.
Prosecutor General Emiliano Rolón replaced Deputy Prosecutor Soledad Machuca as head of UDEA with Nancy Salomón. Machuca, accused of shelving a complaint against former Senator Hernán Rivas, faces proceedings before the JEM and was called a "black monk" by Senator Yolanda Paredes.
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.
President Santiago Peña refused to comment on the departure of former Colorado senators Erico Galeano and Hernán Rivas, both involved in serious judicial scandals, as the government tries to contain political damage. At an event in Presidente Hayes, Peña preferred to address the controversy over the military parade and the critical situation of the Social Security Institute (IPS).
The National Agency for Evaluation and Accreditation of Higher Education (Aneaes) requested the Ministry of Education and the National Council for Higher Education (Cones) to intervene in more than 100 law courses that have never undergone mandatory accreditation. The request, made on May 4, has been ignored so far, while the scandal involving former senator Hernán Rivas exposes weaknesses in the diploma registration system.
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.
President Santiago Peña stated that at the end of his term in 2028, he will be a senator for life, contradicting the bill that allows former presidents to run for elective office. He also commented on the fake diploma scandal of Hernán Rivas and the case of former senator Erico Galeano.
The president of IPS, Isaías Ricardo Fretes, exposes the rot of corruption that unites politics, economic elite, and bureaucracy in Paraguay. While resignations of Cartist senators generate hope, the choice of a questioned prosecutor for judge reveals the system's resistance.
President Santiago Peña, during an event in San Lorenzo, asked the media to treat corruption cases involving opposition members and those of fellow Colorado Party members, such as Erico Galeano and Hernán Rivas, with the same rigor. Peña avoided detailing the proceedings and highlighted the role of ANEAES in controlling university degrees.
Paraguay's Magistrates Council passed over prosecutor Deny Yoon Pak, who led the mega-operation A Ultranza against drug trafficking, and chose Aldo Cantero, known as 'Aldo Canta 50' for allegedly negotiating cases, to join the shortlist for judge. The decision drew criticism from legal experts and accusations that the body prioritizes political loyalties over merit.
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.