Senator Édgar López, a member of Paraguay's Consejo de la Magistratura, openly admitted that political parties control the selection of judges, prosecutors, and appellate judges, according to a report by Ultima Hora. “The political parties fight for their candidates. Why fool ourselves? Political spaces are agreed upon, negotiated. That is categorical,” López said in an interview with radio 1080 AM.
López's comments came after the council voted to include controversial prosecutor Aldo Cantero on a shortlist for a judgeship in Asunción. Cantero received seven votes, while anti-drug prosecutor Deny Yoon Pak, who led the high-profile A Ultranza Py operation and secured the conviction of former Senator Erico Galeano, received only one vote. López explained that he voted for Cantero because “he built the majority and I had no other choice. I had another candidate too. If I opposed, my candidate wouldn't enter those shortlists.” He added that the process focuses on “building a majority” rather than evaluating qualifications or past controversies.
López further stated that it is well known that most magistrates have political affiliations. “Many magistrates are from the opposition, why fool ourselves? The vast majority, if not all, have a party, have a preference for some political party,” he said, though he claimed he does not consider that when voting.
The decision to shortlist Cantero drew sharp criticism. Deputy Daniel Centurión called for Cantero's removal from the justice system, saying “Justice needs independence.” Deputy Rocío Vallejos stressed the need for “people of integrity” in the judiciary. Former minister Cecilia Pérez declared that “justice is rotten.” The shortlist now goes to the Supreme Court for final selection.