Santiago Peña

President Santiago Peña and Vice President Pedro Alliana have asked Horacio Cartes to consider a new candidacy for the presidency of the Colorado Party in 2028, according to the general agent of the ANR, Eduardo González Báez. The request was made during a meeting of the Honor Colorado Command at the former president's residence.

President Santiago Peña is accused of denying ties to a digital communicator who received an official credential, while allegations of a smear campaign against government critics grow. The head of Mitic is pressured to resign for allegedly concealing data, and Conmebol president Alejandro Domínguez faces corruption accusations from the United States.

Liberal deputy Freddy Franco defended his bill establishing the 'National Day of Vori Vori' and harshly criticized Senator Dionisio Amarilla, accusing him of being two-faced due to his closeness to the Colorado government. Franco suggested the debate over the typical dish was used to divert attention from the scandal involving former Senator Hernán Rivas's fake diplomas.

Presidential pre-candidate Arnoldo Wiens, from the Colorado Añetete movement, attacked sectors of cartismo during a rally in Villarrica, accusing them of remaining "bolted to power" and using public office for personal gain. He also questioned the government's economic management and recalled the narrative of the "true colorados," amid the internal dispute of the ANR.

Paraguay's Minister of Interior, Enrique Riera, denied rumors that he would return to the Senate, stating that President Santiago Peña asked him to remain in office. Riera also commented on the upcoming internal municipal elections and the ministry's stance of party neutrality.

More than a year after President Santiago Peña and Minister María Teresa Barán promised a comprehensive overhaul of the Caacupé Regional Hospital, the facility remains in a state of abandonment, with deteriorated infrastructure, lack of essential medicines, and insufficient resources.

Amid the geopolitical dispute between China, Taiwan, and the United States, Paraguay has become a stage for intense diplomatic and economic pressure. Businesspeople, legislators, and political sectors push for a potential shift in relations toward Beijing, while Taiwan tries to maintain the historic alliance.

Paraguay's Director of Meteorology and Hydrology, Eduardo Mingo, confirmed the arrival of the El Niño phenomenon in June, with forecasts of excessive rainfall, and denied sensationalist terms such as 'El Niño Godzilla'. The government has formed a technical committee with the National Emergency Secretariat, Ministry of Defense, and Ministry of Agriculture to coordinate mitigation actions.

An intoxicated Army non-commissioned officer lost control of his vehicle on PY 01 route and collided with a grain truck. The accident, which occurred in the early hours of this Monday, resulted only in material damage. Meanwhile, the president of IPS, Isaías Fretes, presented the results of the vademecum review, announcing the elimination of about a thousand items considered unnecessary.

The president of the Social Insurance Institute (IPS), Isaías Fretes, presented this Monday (18) the results of the formulary review, identifying about a thousand products acquired unnecessarily, which expire unused. The measure aims to clean up the Health Fund's finances and redirect resources to effective purchases. President Santiago Peña reiterated support for Fretes until 2028, highlighting spending efficiency and combating evasion as priorities.

Documents obtained show that the Presidency of the Republic of Paraguay issued an official credential to Juan Roberto “Jimmy” Villaverde, identified as responsible for the Sucia Política page and a network of pro-government websites, in July 2025. The revelation contradicts the version of President Santiago Peña and Mitic authorities, who denied any formal link with Villaverde.

President Santiago Peña called for judicial cases involving legislators to be treated with the same criteria, regardless of party, while commenting on the situations of former senators Erico Galeano and Hernán Rivas. He also supported the work of ANEAES in reviewing university degrees.

President Santiago Peña refused to comment on the departure of former Colorado senators Erico Galeano and Hernán Rivas, both involved in serious judicial scandals, as the government tries to contain political damage. At an event in Presidente Hayes, Peña preferred to address the controversy over the military parade and the critical situation of the Social Security Institute (IPS).

The Minister of Industry and Commerce, Marcos Riquelme, acknowledged that the sharp fall of the dollar (about 25% in one year) is compressing margins and competitiveness of local industries, especially exporters who bill in dollars but have costs in guaranis. The US currency exchange rate opened the week at G. 6,120 in the effective exchange and G. 6,096 in the interbank market.

Minister Juan Carlos Baruja and Chamber President Raúl Latorre intensify their campaigns in the Paraguayan interior, aiming to be Pedro Alliana's running mate in the 2028 elections. Baruja is said to have the supposed support of Horacio Cartes, while Latorre seeks alliances with governors. The dispute unfolds amid the municipal internal elections on June 7.

President Santiago Peña's announcement of building the world's largest artificial intelligence center in Paraguay has generated skepticism among local experts, who point to a lack of technical capacity and warn of the risk of the country becoming a mere supplier of cheap energy in a global geopolitical dispute.

President Santiago Peña visited the restoration works of Avelino Martínez Avenue in San Lorenzo alongside Mayor Felipe Salomón and Senator Óscar Salomón, a gesture of political backing during the electoral pre-campaign. The project, executed by EDB Construções, had a final cost of G. 242.7 billion, with an overrun of G. 87.6 billion, justified by the Ministry of Public Works as price updates and work complexity. The visit occurs amid a strong internal dispute in the ANR, where Salomón seeks reelection against Édgar López, supported by Horacio Cartes. Engineer Enrique Díaz Benza, owner of the construction company, suggested renaming the avenue to General Andrés Rodríguez, but Peña said the decision lies with the population.

President Santiago Peña stated that at the end of his term in 2028, he will be a senator for life, contradicting the bill that allows former presidents to run for elective office. He also commented on the fake diploma scandal of Hernán Rivas and the case of former senator Erico Galeano.

The president of IPS, Isaías Ricardo Fretes, exposes the rot of corruption that unites politics, economic elite, and bureaucracy in Paraguay. While resignations of Cartist senators generate hope, the choice of a questioned prosecutor for judge reveals the system's resistance.

Diego Garzón, from Colombia's Ministry of Labor, argued that Paraguay should invest in technical training in areas such as data mining and engineering to absorb the demand for new jobs generated by artificial intelligence. The warning comes after the announcement of an AI center in partnership with Taiwan, which drew criticism over the lack of specialized professionals in the country.

President Santiago Peña's visit to Taiwan rekindled diplomatic tensions with China, which intensified criticism and pressure. For analyst Julieta Heduvan, the country has gained strategic weight but faces risks and opportunities.

President Santiago Peña traveled to Taiwan with 50 business leaders to strengthen commercial and political ties, at the same time Donald Trump and Xi Jinping discussed the island's future in Beijing. Paraguay, the only South American country with full relations with Taiwan, sees its position gain strategic weight amid tensions between the powers.

President Santiago Peña acknowledged that the monthly deficit of the Social Insurance Institute (IPS) exceeds US$ 20 million and suggested increasing revenue, reducing evasion, and improving spending efficiency, while IPS President Isaías Fretes announces cuts to obsolete medications and administrative reorganization.

President Santiago Peña and Public Works Minister Claudia Centurión inspected the works on Avenida Avelino Martínez in San Lorenzo and defended the structural intervention amid criticism over the high cost, which reaches US$ 6.6 million per kilometer.