The majority bloc in the Asunción Municipal Board approved a G. 4.5 billion increase for contracts with the Directorate of Vialidad (Road Maintenance), ignoring allegations of materials being diverted to private projects and criticism of overpricing.
Luis Bello
Pytagua coverage mentioning Luis Bello.
The municipality of Asunción, under the administration of Mayor Luis Bello, allocated 90% of the municipal budget to payroll and administrative expenses between January and April 2026, leaving less than 8% for urban infrastructure investments.
Councilman Álvaro Grau described as a "veiled threat" the note sent to the Asunción City Hall by the representative of the municipal bondholders, José Montero, who accepts payment of more than G. 90 billion for the overdue bond debt but reserves the right for creditors to take future legal action.
Taxpayers in Asunción paid US$4.5 million between January and April 2026 for stormwater works that, in most of the capital, do not exist, while only four of the eight promised basins have seen construction begin, and work is progressing slowly due to a lack of financial resources.
Asunción is facing a fiscal crisis following the diversion of more than G. 500 billion from the G8 bond, originally intended for stormwater drainage works, during the administration of former mayor Óscar "Nenecho" Rodríguez. Meanwhile, the current administration under Luis Bello is paying contractors with current municipal revenue, while residents endure poor public services, including potholed streets that cause accidents, inconsistent garbage collection, and chaotic traffic.
The Assunção City Hall is facing a financial crisis after the embezzlement of 500 billion guaranis intended for stormwater drainage projects, which led to duplicate payments and investigations into the management of the funds.
The Municipality of Asunción has launched the "World Cup Discount" campaign, offering up to 100% exemptions on fines and interest, 10% discounts for lump-sum payments, and installment plans of up to six payments without interest for taxpayers who settle their debts with the municipality by June 30, including a daily raffle for official Paraguay national team jerseys.
The Municipality of Asunción is preparing temporary shelters and emergency protocols in anticipation of potential flooding of the Paraguay River, whose current level stands at 3.15 meters and could reach between 3.80 and 4 meters by the end of the month.
Asunción mayoral candidate Soledad Núñez has reported the dismantling of garbage trucks, tractors and other city assets, which she says are being stripped for parts under interim mayor Luis Bello. She pledged an overhaul of municipal asset control and use.
The Asunción Municipal Council refused to authorize Mayor Luis Bello to defer overdue bond interest, denouncing abusive rates that would push charges to 27% and leave a million-dollar hole for the next administration.
Asunción Mayor Luis Bello received representatives of the volunteer fire departments and agreed to set up a weekly technical panel to regularize overdue construction-tax payments that have accumulated to more than G$ 10 billion since 2020. The debt threatens station operations and triggered a crisis alert.
Construction of the storm drainage system in the San Pablo neighborhood of Asunción continues to advance slowly under Mayor Luis Bello, while residents fear new storms. The project, funded with resources from the 2022 G8 bonds, was halted due to payment delays to the contractor and the diversion of funds in the administration of former Mayor Óscar "Nenecho" Rodríguez.
The Paraguayan Volunteer Fire Department (CBVP) demands urgent payment of over G. 10 billion withheld by the Municipality of Asunción since 2020. Mayor Luis Bello called a meeting, but volunteers request a concrete payment schedule to avoid operational collapse.
Paraguay’s Chamber of Deputies has passed a law requiring the judicial deposit of original credit instruments, such as promissory notes and checks, during enforcement proceedings. The measure aims to increase transparency and security in debt collection processes, allowing the creditor to keep the document as a judicial depositary, subject to criminal liability for non-compliance. The bill now goes to the Executive Branch for enactment.
The asphalt repair on Avenida Rodríguez de Francia at Mercado 4 lasted less than seven months. The road has again developed potholes and standing wastewater, exposing the failure of Mayor Luis Bello's (ANR-HC) administration, which continues the neglect model of his predecessor. Despite collecting US$18.2 million in 2025 for street maintenance, the capital's road infrastructure remains in ruins.
Paraguay's volunteer firefighter corps (CBVP, known as yellows) and Asunción's corps (CBVA, blues) denounced that the capital's city hall has accumulated a debt exceeding G. 10 billion related to the transfer of 3.5% of the construction tax, as established by Municipal Ordinance No. 186/12. After the public protest, Mayor Luis Bello received representatives and set up a working group to regularize payments.
Asunción's microcenter faces a road crisis with destroyed manholes, disintegrated asphalt, and stagnant water, while the city hall spent US$ 18.2 million on pothole patching in 2025 with no visible results. The administration of Mayor Luis Bello (ANR-HC) is criticized for inheriting the model of predecessor Óscar “Nenecho” Rodríguez, who diverted G. 512 billion from bonds to current expenses.
The Asunción City Hall closed a section of Presbítero Justo Román Street for 45 days for storm drainage works in the Santo Domingo basin. The measure further isolates the Manorá and Santo Domingo neighborhoods, which already suffer from traffic collapse. The work, promised by former mayor Óscar Rodríguez with funds from G8 bonds, is delayed and marked by allegations of fund diversion.
Pre-candidates for councilor of the Municipal Board of Asunción denounce the existence of an irregular collection system in municipal markets and the Bus Station, which allegedly diverts funds for electoral campaigns. Ever Escalante, from the Colorado Añetete movement, claims that only in Market 4 around 100 million guaranis would be collected per day.
Three pre-candidates for councilor in the Paraguayan capital denounced the existence of parallel cash collection systems in Markets 4 and Abasto, as well as at the Asunción Bus Station, with daily collections allegedly reaching 100 million guaranis. They claim the scheme has been operating for over eight years and involves municipal employees and outsiders.