New photos of VIP cells in Paraguayan prisons have once again exposed the privileges granted to high-profile inmates, even after the government's promises to regain control of the penitentiary system. The images, released by radio station Monumental 1080 AM, show cells with furniture, appliances, and other luxuries in penitentiaries in Concepción, Villarrica, San Pedro, and Coronel Oviedo.
Among the inmates who allegedly occupied these cells are alleged drug trafficking leader Miguel Servín, known as "Miguel Celular," and former sports director Ramón González Daher, convicted of money laundering. The Minister of Justice, Rodrigo Nicora, admitted the existence of the cells but could not specify when the photos were taken, stating that his government is already working on a "new management model" for the prison system.
President Santiago Peña had previously celebrated the recovery of control over the old Tacumbú National Penitentiary, now called the National Center for Detainees, following operations like "Veneratio," which transferred the leader of the Rotela Clan, Armando Javier Rotela. However, the new images show that corrupt practices persist, allowing inmates access to illegal benefits.
Nicora stated that while it is not possible to solve "100% of the problems," "penitentiary sovereignty" is being maintained. He highlighted recent inspection operations and the creation of a commission in 2025 to investigate VIP cells but acknowledged that irregularities still occur in some prisons.
The Ministry of Justice continues to carry out search and seizure operations as part of its "zero tolerance" policy, but the photos reveal that the challenge of completely eliminating illegal privileges in Paraguayan prisons is far from over.