Former Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benítez delivered a fiery speech in Luque on May 15, 2026, attacking what he called a “cúpula de bandidos” (gang of bandits) that he claims still controls the country’s political and economic power. According to a report by 1000 Noticias, Abdo Benítez also acknowledged that many members of his political circle are under judicial scrutiny, saying, “somos el movimiento de imputados” (we are the movement of the accused).
During his remarks, the ex-president asserted that during his administration, his group refused to submit to this alleged cabal. He claimed that the most powerful sectors underestimated his movement when it took office five years ago. Abdo Benítez urged his supporters and fellow party members to resist political pressure: “No se dejen someter a la presión y no tengan miedo” (Do not let yourselves be subjected to pressure and do not be afraid).
The speech comes amid ongoing investigations into several figures linked to Abdo Benítez’s political sector. The former president did not provide specific evidence for his accusations against the “cúpula de bandidos,” and the claims remain unverified by other sources.