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.
Raúl Benítez
Pytagua coverage mentioning Raúl Benítez.
Paraguay’s Chamber of Deputies will again review a bill that could allow different financial products from the same institution to be counted separately, while IPS investments in Ueno Bank exceeded the legal limit described in the sources.
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.
The trial of former senator Hernán Rivas for using a fake law degree exposes widespread flaws in Paraguay's academic document control system, with university authorities admitting irregularities and the Ministry of Education confirming its registration system is insufficient.
President Santiago Peña has appointed Miguel Báez Reyes as the head of Paraguay's state electricity utility ANDE, replacing Félix Sosa. The government states the move is intended to unblock investments, but unions and the opposition link it to pressure for a preferential tariff contract with the company Atome.
The Paraguayan Chamber of Deputies rejected a bill that would have eliminated bonuses for high-ranking officials until 2026 in order to allocate the funds to public health, following a debate that highlighted the contrast between these benefits and the minimum wage.
Paraguayan congressional leaders were recorded on an open microphone discussing opposition lawmaker Raúl Benítez, who accused the conversation of revealing "mafia codes," while the ruling party dismissed it as a mere anecdote.
The Chamber of Deputies of Paraguay was suspended for the second consecutive week after cartista (Colorado Party faction) deputy Yamil Esgaib threatened and provoked opposition member Raúl Benítez during the session, resulting in a loss of quorum and the session ending without any votes.
MITIC confirmed having reported only two of at least 14 social media accounts linked to the "dirty campaign" against opponents, journalists, and media outlets critical of the Santiago Peña government, a response lawmakers investigating the case deemed insufficient.