Paraguayan President Santiago Peña stated in an interview with state broadcaster Paraguaya TV that he regularly follows the content of foreign digital influencers living in the country and denied that they receive payments from the government. Peña emphasized that many of these content creators make clear in their posts that they have no financial ties to Paraguayan authorities.
"I follow several digital nomads and influencers, and some of them say: 'stop saying I'm being paid by the government, because I don't know anyone in the government. If someone wants to pay me, they should call me'," the president declared. He stressed that Paraguay has become more attractive to remote workers, citing an almost 70% increase in residency applications from foreigners this year, according to data from the Directorate of Migration.
Peña also mentioned initiatives like the "Golden Visa," which facilitates visa acquisition for investors, and infrastructure projects such as the bioceanic route and bridges in Carmelo Peralta and Pozo Hondo. Regarding security, he acknowledged that the country still faces challenges but highlighted investments in the National Police, including the delivery of over 600 vehicles and the training of 5,000 new officers per year.
Despite the president's statements, official documents reveal that the Peña administration, through the Itaipu Technological Park Foundation (PTI-PY), allocated approximately $1.5 million for propaganda campaigns and influencer hiring. The funds, planned in bids launched in coordination with the Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies (Mitic), will be executed between May 2026 and March 2027, a period that coincides with municipal elections.
In another interview, Peña stated he would not hesitate to admit a family member to the Social Security Institute (IPS), despite criticism of the pension management. "If they are a beneficiary, of course I would," he said when questioned about the institution's situation, which faces investigations against former presidents. The president acknowledged that IPS's problems are historical and highlighted support for the reform led by the institution's current president, Isaías Fretes.
Regarding his relationship with former President Horacio Cartes, Peña avoided directly commenting on a possible Cartes Senate candidacy in 2028 but stated that he has "all the freedoms" to run. Peña also dismissed, for now, the idea of running for a legislative seat after leaving the presidency in 2028. "I will dedicate myself to the Colorado Party, but today my focus is finishing my term," he declared.