President Santiago Peña and former President Mario Abdo Benítez shared an embrace and a conversation during a reception organized by the U.S. Embassy in Asunción, an event celebrating the 250th anniversary of American independence. The meeting took place at the Sheraton hotel on Tuesday night.
Nicanor Duarte Frutos, also a former president, described the gesture as a "civic act" and a sign of cordiality within the Colorado Party. He stated that the embrace reflects a republican culture and the possibility of building strong party unity across the country, which is essential for the challenges of the municipal elections.
Mario Abdo Benítez, for his part, downplayed the political nature of the encounter, calling it a protocol gesture in honor of a friendly nation. He reiterated that the work of party unification is already underway, focusing on the candidates in each district, and that the obligation is to coordinate support for the official List 1.
The episode occurs amid tensions between the ruling party, represented by the Honor Colorado movement, and the internal dissident faction Colorado Añetete, led by Abdo Benítez. Despite public mutual criticism between the Peña and Abdo administrations, the diplomatic setting served as neutral ground for the brief rapprochement.