Senator Carlos Núñez Agüero proposed cutting funding for governor’s offices in the 2027 General National Budget and directing more resources to buying medicines. His proposal came with accusations of misuse of Hambre Cero funds, a school meals program, prompting governors to demand evidence and criticize the vulgarity of his remarks.
During a Senate session on September 24, Núñez questioned the quality of meals provided to students and accused governors of appropriating public funds. He argued that the money cut from their budgets should go to hospitals and health centers, where, he said, medicines are lacking for low-income patients. Published accounts of the remarks did not include specific cases substantiating the accusations.
From January to August 2026, the 15 Colorado Party governor’s offices that make up the so-called G15 received 1.6 trillion guaraníes, mainly through transfers linked to Hambre Cero. That figure covers those 15 departmental administrations, not all governor’s offices in the country.
In an open letter, the Governors’ Council demanded that Núñez provide names and evidence to support his accusations. The group said any irregularities should be investigated and those responsible punished, while the governors do not seek immunity from oversight. It also responded to the senator’s tone: “Politics can be firm without being vulgar; disagreement can be forceful without being irresponsible.” The letter added that Paraguay is built from its departments.
Marcelo Soto, governor of Caaguazú, attributed the remarks to electoral interests. He said Núñez was attacking potential rivals amid internal disputes over candidacies and the renewal of seats in the 2027 party elections. Soto said the governors respect the leadership of Horacio Cartes, a former president and leader of Honor Colorado, but want to take part in the movement’s decisions. He also rejected the idea that opposition to certain candidacies was intended to weaken the faction.
The dispute comes ahead of the selection of the ticket for the 2028 general elections. César Sosa, governor of Guairá and president of the Governors’ Council, remains interested in running for vice president alongside Pedro Alliana; House of Representatives Speaker Raúl Latorre has also been mentioned in discussions. Colorado Party senator Antonio Barrios said Cartes had chosen Alliana and Housing Minister Juan Carlos Baruja for the ticket, and that Honor Colorado was following his direction. Barrios also denied internal divisions and said the movement was united around its campaign for the municipal elections.
Núñez had previously accused governors of irregularities in Hambre Cero in April 2026 and asked the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic, headed by Camilo Benítez, to audit the departmental administrations, starting with Guairá. At the time, Sosa denied irregularities and challenged the senator to file a formal complaint.