Horacio Cartes, former president of Paraguay and current leader of the Honor Colorado movement, confirmed his intention to run for reelection to the presidency of the Governing Board of the Asociación Nacional Republicana (ANR), the Colorado Party. The announcement was made during a meeting with deputies from the ruling bloc at the political leader's residence. The president of the Chamber of Deputies, Raúl Latorre, stated that lawmakers asked Cartes to run for a new term and that he accepted the nomination. Latorre described the atmosphere as one of unity and harmony within the party.
The party's general proxy, Eduardo González, corroborated the information, stating that Cartes is "very full" and committed to the possibility of a second term leading the association. González emphasized that the leader feels comfortable in the position and believes he can facilitate another opportunity for the party. The next internal elections to define party authorities and candidates for the 2028 general elections are scheduled for December 2027.
Meanwhile, the governor of Paraguarí, Norma Zárate, sought to dismiss any indications of internal division after the majority of Colorado governors were absent from an event proclaiming candidates from Lista 1 last weekend. Zárate attributed the absences to personal commitments, travel, health problems, or prior institutional responsibilities, categorically denying that there was any rebellion or conspiracy. She stated that only four of the fifteen governors attended the event, but that all maintain their support for Horacio Cartes, President Santiago Peña, and Vice President Pedro Alliana.
Unity around the October 4 municipal elections was presented as the immediate priority. Zárate declared that the current focus is to "paint Paraguay red" by securing the majority of mayoralties, which would serve as a platform for the 2028 national elections.
However, internal tensions emerge on other fronts. Deputy Alejandro Aguilera (ANR-Honor Colorado) commented on speculation about who will join Pedro Alliana on the presidential ticket in 2028. He mentioned that the governor of Guairá, César "Césarito" Sosa, is proposed by the Council of Governors for the position, but emphasized that the final decision will rest with Alliana himself. Aguilera also downplayed reports of friction, calling them "media installation."
Simultaneously, the Chamber of Deputies experienced a day of political maneuvers. A regular session was adjourned due to lack of quorum after President Raúl Latorre conducted the roll call unusually punctually. Immediately afterward, Latorre convened an extraordinary session with the surprise inclusion of a controversial bill authorizing payment of interest on debts to road construction companies (vialeras). The bill, which already has Senate approval, faces criticism due to lack of clarity about the total debt amount, which ranges between $40 million and $100 million, and about the periods covered. Opposition deputy Diosnel Aguilera (PLRA) had already requested detailed information about this debt, which has not yet been provided by the Executive Branch.
Deputy Alejandro Aguilera also indicated that there is lack of consensus within the ruling bloc to approve a $75 million loan for road works in seven departments, advocating for a more equitable redistribution of resources.