Interior Minister Enrique Riera and criminologist Juan Martens engaged in a heated debate on the Paraguayan network Telefuturo's program "Políticamente Yncorrecto" on Sunday. The discussion focused on police corruption and the influence of organized crime in the department of Canindeyú.
Martens, who has conducted field work in the region, stated that the attack on the Naranjito police station, which occurred on July 21 and left two officers and one civilian dead, is linked to criminal organizations and corruption within the institution. He described Canindeyú as a "no man's land" and a place where police officers go to "make money." The criminologist cited the presence of factions like the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and the Comando Vermelho (Red Command) operating on different routes in the area.
Visibly irritated, Minister Riera reacted forcefully, pointing his finger at Martens and accusing him of having links to organized crime for having access to such information. "If they pass you information that you hear from organized crime, you are linked to organized crime, Juan. An academic who learns of a crime should report it," Riera challenged.
One of the most tense moments occurred when Martens mentioned that police chiefs and their subordinates in sensitive zones get around in stolen vehicles, usually from Brazil, that circulate without documentation. Riera countered with an unexpected statement: "There are stolen vehicles everywhere, not just among the police, because this is the country of stolen cars."
The debate escalated into the personal when Riera referred to Martens as "the keyboard hero" and questioned his background. The criminologist responded by challenging the minister to file a formal complaint with the Public Ministry and reiterating his desire for a police force that does not use stolen cars or take bribes. The government has attributed the attack in Naranjito to the Ejército del Pueblo Paraguayo (EPP), a leftist armed group that operates in the north of the country, and Riera had previously signaled his intention to regroup security forces in Canindeyú to better protect officers.