Horacio Cartes

Paraguay’s Senate approved requests for information from the Central Bank of Paraguay about Ueno Bank’s operations and expansion, amid questions about public deposits, possible conflicts of interest, and political rivalries involving the institution and Banco Basa.

Santiago Peña said there is no break with Horacio Cartes, attributed criticism to the municipal elections, defended clarifications over a request for information from the Central Bank involving Ueno Bank, and called for continued dialogue with doctors threatening a strike on September 21 and 22.

Pablo Callizo and Sebastián Garay were taken to a police station and released about two hours later after taking part in a teddy-bear protest outside Horacio Cartes’s home in Asunción. The episode drew criticism from opponents and sparked debate over the limits of police action during public demonstrations.

Paraguay’s Congress has begun reviewing the 2027 General National Budget, estimated at G. 166.3 trillion and listing health care among its priorities, while the Senate prepares requests for information from the Central Bank about Ueno Bank and lawmakers negotiate doctors’ salary demands.

Senator Gustavo Leite proposed reducing public spending by up to US$400 million a year, including an incentivized voluntary retirement program for up to 100,000 public employees, merging redundant agencies and freezing hiring. The figures and effects are Leite’s projections, and implementation still depends on financing, executive decisions and negotiations.

Paraguay's Senate approved National Evangelical Church Day for the last Sunday of October, without creating a public holiday or requiring the date to be added to the school calendar. IELPA and IERP challenge the name and historical rationale; the bill will still be reviewed by the Chamber of Deputies.

The Paraguayan Chamber approved in general a bill to increase corruption penalties to up to 25 years, but postponed the final analysis sine die, amid criticism about the contradiction between official discourse and parliamentary practice in combating this crime.

Former minister Arnoldo Wiens rejected judge Humberto Otazú to halt the criminal proceedings in the Metrobús case, in which he is accused of causing a loss of 15 billion guaranis to the state, while the Public Prosecutor's Office requested the dismissal of the case against his predecessor, Ramón Jiménez Gaona.

President Santiago Peña appointed Juan Manuel Maioli García, son of one of the owners of the company Parxin, as Paraguay's representative to the World Bank Group.

Paraguayan President Santiago Peña denied payment to foreign influencers in the country, highlighted the attraction of digital nomads and investments in infrastructure and security, but documents reveal the government allocated $1.5 million for campaigns with influencers until 2027, in addition to defending the Social Security Institute (IPS) and avoiding comment on Horacio Cartes' Senate candidacy.

The Paraguayan Prosecutor's Office formally accused former minister Arnoldo Wiens of causing a million-dollar loss to the state with the demolition of the Metrobús, while the politician and allies allege judicial persecution with electoral motivations.

The campaign of Asunción mayoral candidate Camilo Pérez, which celebrates its team unity, includes public officials such as a deputy minister and a former presidential social media operator in its WhatsApp group for the press, raising questions about the use of state resources.

While Senator Lilian Samaniego projects her candidacy for President of Paraguay for 2028, factions of the Colorado Party are proposing former President Horacio Cartes as a Senate candidate for the party.

Paraguay's Internal Defense Operations Command (CODI) has spent $68 million since 2013, facing criticism over its limited effectiveness against the armed group EPP, whose attacks continue despite the military force's expanded operations.

The Authentic Radical Liberal Party (PLRA) withdrew its candidacy in Ciudad del Este to unite the opposition around Daniel Pereira Mujica, while the Colorado Party intensifies its campaign in the Central Department for the October municipal elections.

Eight politicians, including Vice President Pedro Alliana, Senator Lilian Samaniego, and former minister Arnoldo Wiens, have confirmed their pre-candidacies for Paraguay's presidency in the 2028 elections.

Horacio Cartes seeks reelection to the presidency of Paraguay's Colorado Party, while the ruling faction faces allegations of internal division and political maneuvers in the Chamber of Deputies to pass a controversial debt payment bill.

Senator Javier Zacarías Irún responded with irony to businessman José Ortiz, who excluded him from the mayoral campaign in Ciudad del Este, citing high electoral rejection of the Zacarías family.

Horacio Cartes suggested that Camilo Pérez consider charging vehicles entering Asunción. Soledad Núñez rejected the idea and attributed the municipal crisis to corruption and the alleged diversion of funds under the previous administration.

The Colorado Party held a unity rally in Luque to launch its municipal campaign, while pre-candidate Arnoldo Wiens rejected the event, accused the cartismo faction of corruption, and faced internal criticism for his stance.

The Colorado Party launched its campaign for the municipal elections in Luque, emphasizing unity and harmony, despite the notable absences of figures like Mario Abdo Benítez and Arnoldo Wiens.

President Santiago Peña and former President Mario Abdo Benítez greeted each other with a hug during a reception at the U.S. Embassy in Asunción, a gesture described by Nicanor Duarte Frutos as a civic act of party unity, while Abdo Benítez downplayed its political nature.

Paraguayan Minister describes Cartes' trip to the US to attend the 2026 World Cup final and meet with officials as an act of justice after sanctions were lifted.

Senator Gustavo Leite returns to the Paraguayan Senate after 11 months as ambassador to the U.S., defending his diplomatic tenure which included meetings with lawmakers and Trump, while the opposition criticizes the mission's high costs and lack of concrete results.