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.
Raúl Benítez
Pytagua coverage mentioning Raúl Benítez.
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.
Colorado Party deputy Yamil Esgaib refuses to show his business administration degree, questioned because it was issued by the same university involved in the scandal of former senator Hernán Rivas. He says he has nothing to hide but will only present the document 'when he feels like it.'
Paraguay’s Chamber of Deputies approved a request for information from the Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies (MITIC) regarding the alleged involvement of the Santiago Peña administration in a dirty campaign network on social media. The request seeks to clarify whether Juan Roberto "Jimmy" Villaverde, whom the president has denied any connection to, held official credentials and whether public funds were used for payments, including through binational entities such as Itaipú and Yacyretá.
Paraguay’s Chamber of Deputies approved a request for information from the Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies (Mitic) and the Presidency to clarify whether state funds were used in a defamation campaign against journalists and media outlets. The request, filed by Deputy Raúl Benítez, focuses on the activities of Juan Roberto Villaverde Emategui and his company Comunik, as well as websites such as Sucia Política and Central Noticias.
Independent deputy Raúl Benítez harshly criticized colleague Édgar Olmedo, the Chamber's representative on the Magistrates Council, for voting in favor of prosecutor Aldo Cantero on the shortlist for criminal judge in Asunción, to the detriment of prosecutor Deny Yoon Pak, who led the investigation into the A Ultranza Py case. Benítez called Cantero a "hired hitman" and demanded explanations for the vote.
Paraguay's Chamber of Deputies approved a series of information requests regarding suspicious tenders at the Institute of Social Welfare (IPS), totaling US$63 million. Deputies from different parties called for the former head of the agency, Jorge Brítez, to face criminal prosecution, while criticizing current president Isaías Fretes for not having filed a formal complaint so far.
Opposition lawmakers in Paraguay criticize Comptroller General Camilo Benítez, claiming he uses an alleged gap in Law 5189/14 to avoid sanctioning agencies that do not disclose employee salaries, such as binational entities. They point to selectivity in audits and complicity with the Cartes/Peña government.