President Santiago Peña avoided commenting on the resignation of former senators Erico Galeano and Hernán Rivas, both from the Colorado movement, during a social housing handover event in Presidente Hayes last Wednesday. When questioned by a journalist, Peña left without responding, exposing the discomfort of the ruling party in the face of two cases that shook the party's image in Congress.
Galeano, convicted in the second instance for money laundering and criminal association under Operation "A Ultranza", one of the largest investigations into drug trafficking and asset laundering in the country, saw pressure increase after the sentence was confirmed. Rivas, in turn, was involved in a scandal over the alleged use of a fake university diploma to practice law and hold public office. Both left their Senate seats when the Upper House began processing requests for loss of mandate, breaking the political shield that had sustained them.
Instead of addressing the cases, Peña spoke about the controversy generated by the suspension and subsequent reinstatement of the military parade planned for the National Independence celebrations. Initially, the government considered not holding the event due to the military deployment in the northern departments, where search operations for Almir de Brum and the fight against criminal groups linked to drug trafficking continue. Peña stated that Vice President Pedro Alliana was the one who pushed the decision to maintain the patriotic activity, albeit in a reduced version.
Another topic addressed was the situation of the Social Security Institute (IPS). Peña reiterated his support for the new head of social security, Isaías Fretes, who in his first days in office denounced irregular purchases and structural deficiencies. The president stated that the IPS faces a crisis accumulated over years and that the government seeks to provide the new administration with tools to address the urgent needs of the social security health system.