Arlene Aquino, a candidate for mayor of Asunción who is studying political science at the National University of Asunción (UNA) and has never held public office, estimates that 500 billion guaraníes in municipal funds were allegedly diverted during Óscar Rodríguez’s administration. She compares the amount with the 5.105 billion guaraníes for which former Central governor Hugo Javier was convicted. Since November, she says, she has been campaigning door to door.
Hugo Javier
Pytagua coverage mentioning Hugo Javier.
Defense attorney Guillermo Gayoso, who initially publicized an assault account, retracted his statements and attributed former governor Hugo Javier González's claims to delirious states. Meanwhile, the Public Prosecutor's Office maintains its primary hypothesis that injuries resulted from a fall at La Esperanza Industrial Prison, while the Chamber of Deputies requests state protection for the detainee.
The legal team of former Paraguayan governor Hugo Javier González has alleged physical assault in prison and judicial obstruction, while the opposition demands protection for the politician, who is recovering from a traumatic brain injury in hospital.
Paraguay’s Public Prosecutor’s Office prioritizes the theory that Hugo Javier González fell after becoming unwell but is keeping open the possibility of an assault while awaiting tests and forensic examinations; his cellmate reaffirmed the account, and the defense ruled out a targeted attack.
Asunción continues to face service problems, debt and allegations under Luis Bello, while Óscar Pérez’s intervention at the Roadways Directorate approaches two months; ABC Color also reports on the “Mafia del asfalto” case, allegations still without convictions against officials from previous administrations, including Constantino “Tino” Ayala and Carlos Morel Gadea, US$22.2 million in overdue interest and partial payments without a global agreement, as well as the diversion of G. 512 billion in bond proceeds for G8 projects during the administration of Óscar “Nenecho” Rodríguez, and says Camilo Pérez and the councilor slate represent the continuation of the Colorado Party model of the National Republican Association (ANR), a party linked to Horacio Cartes, despite their rhetoric of change.
Miguel Ángel Robles Ibarra turned himself in to Paraguay’s National Police to begin serving a 10-year sentence for misappropriating G$5.1 billion from the Central Department Governor’s Office, while his former boss, Hugo Javier, is already imprisoned in the same case.
Hugo Javier González remains in serious condition and on a ventilator at Itauguá National Hospital after reportedly being found unconscious in his cell bathroom at 11:12 p.m., while the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Internal Affairs unit investigate the case; there is no footage from inside the area.
Asunción Mayor Luis Bello replaced a director convicted of corruption in less than a day after a union ultimatum threatening to halt garbage collection and political pressure.
Asunción Mayor Luis Bello appointed Víctor Basualdo, convicted of breach of trust and criminal association in a scheme to divert public funds, as director of Urban Services, prompting a motion of censure from the Municipal Board.
A Paraguayan court has ordered the capture of former Central governor Hugo Javier González and his former chief of staff to serve a 10-year prison sentence for the final conviction in the pandemic fund diversion case known as "ghost works".
The Supreme Court rejected former governor Hugo Javier González’s appeal, making his 10-year sentence in the pandemic-fund case final, while his defense announces a new motion to annul the verdict.
An Appeals Court has confirmed the oral and public trial of former Central Department governor Hugo Javier González and other defendants accused of the alleged embezzlement of more than G. 18.3 billion in public funds, with proceedings set to begin on February 3, 2027.