A congressman has requested an urgent investigation into the cattle deaths in Ñeembucú, where reports point to bovine rabies as a possible cause, in order to prevent further losses for small-scale farmers.
Senado de Paraguay
The Senate is the upper chamber of Paraguay's Congress. It votes on laws, appointments, and oversight measures, making it a central arena of national politics.
The Paraguayan Senate is investigating the blocking of a video of its session on YouTube, possibly due to the use of copyrighted FIFA footage, but the content remains available on its official channels.
The Coordinator of Victims of the Promissory Note Mafia is denouncing judicial fraud that has resulted in forced evictions and the loss of property for rural communities and small business owners in Paraguay, demanding action from the Supreme Court and scheduling a protest for July 13.
Lawmakers are calling on the Central Bank of Paraguay (BCP) and the National Development Bank (BNF) to reinstate the automatic deduction of salaries, which was suspended due to the "Mafia of the Promissory Notes." They argue that the blanket measure harms legitimate businesses, while the Legislature faces criticism for its inaction in combating the scheme that has victimized thousands.
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.
President Santiago Peña has fully vetoed a bill that would have exempted firefighting vehicles from taxes, citing regulatory redundancy, technical flaws, and budgetary impacts.
Opposition senator Antonio Rubén Velázquez announced a reform of Paraguay's 1988 drug law to combat organized crime, including updated penalties, regulation of medicinal cannabis, implementation of plea bargaining, and addressing the infiltration of drug traffickers into Paraguayan politics.
The seizure of over four tons of cocaine of Paraguayan origin at the port of Barcelona in July 2024 contradicts President Santiago Peña's claims that the country is no longer a drug corridor and that no cocaine leaving Paraguay has been seized in European ports since the start of his administration.
The construction sector in Paraguay is pressuring the government for payment of a $340 million debt and for increased investment in infrastructure, which is currently insufficient to drive the country's economic growth.
President Santiago Peña presented his third report to Congress with data on growth, poverty, employment, and public works. However, compiled media coverage indicates the assessment is contested by the opposition, economists, and social sectors for its omissions regarding the deficit, debt, healthcare, energy, corruption, and inequality.
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 presidents of Paraguay and Chile, Santiago Peña and José Antonio Kast, signed tax cooperation and human trafficking prevention agreements during an official visit to Asunción, strengthening bilateral ties and highlighting regional integration.
Nurses leave Paraguay's social security institute IPS due to low wages and migrate to countries like Germany and Italy, while healthcare professionals protest for better working conditions and salary adjustments.
The President of Paraguay will present his annual management report to the National Congress on July 1, fulfilling a constitutional obligation aimed at transparency and accountability of the Executive branch to the Legislature, with no penalties for non-compliance.
The 2026 school winter break in Paraguay will remain scheduled from July 13 to 24, with no changes despite the World Cup, after the Ministry of Education and Sciences (MEC) concluded that the Paraguayan national team's night matches did not interfere with classes, and the tournament's key decisions will coincide exactly with the recess period.
Paraguay's Congress will hold a joint session on Tuesday, June 30, to receive the president of Chile, José Antonio Kast, with protocol honors on the occasion of the Mercosur Heads of State Summit.
Paraguay's Chamber of Deputies reopened the debate on the return to seasonal time changes, with a bill proposed by Congressman Édgar Olmedo that calls for ending the single time zone and reinstating the changes between UTC-3 in summer and UTC-4 in winter.
Senator Juan Afara proposed in the Senate the issuance of $304 million in government bonds to guarantee the purchase of medicines and medical supplies for the IPS.
The House of Representatives postponed for 15 days the analysis of a bill that provides for the payment of default interest to construction companies for halted public works, after lawmakers raised concerns about legal issues and the high fiscal cost.
The Paraguayan Senate passed the bill creating the National Registry of Students with High Intellectual Capacity, which had already been approved by the Chamber of Deputies and was sent to the Executive Branch for enactment or veto.
Cartista senators have introduced a bill expanding the powers of the Comptroller General's Office to fine, prosecute, and take legal action against agencies that fail to comply with the Transparency Law (No. 5189/2014). The proposal amends Articles 8 and 9 of the law so that noncompliance constitutes an enforceable instrument and authorizes agreements with the Ministry of Finance for the collection of fines.
The president of Paraguay's Congress, Basilio "Bachi" Núñez, is the most sought-after Judas Kái effigy among Market 4 vendors in Asunción for this year's San Juan celebrations.
The Senate of Paraguay has set up a special commission to investigate an alleged scheme involving approximately 100,000 irregular university degrees issued between 2023 and 2025, of which roughly 60% correspond to programs lacking quality accreditation. The first institution under investigation is Universidad Sudamericana, the alma mater of former senator Hernán Rivas.
The Senate approved with modifications the bill that restricts the use of portable electronic devices in early childhood, primary, and secondary education institutions, allowing their use only for educational purposes and according to each school's internal regulations, and sent the proposal to the Chamber of Deputies for review.