The district of Ciudad del Este, which in 2019 broke 62 years of Colorado Party dominance by electing Miguel Prieto (Yo Creo), now faces a tight race with 11 pre-candidates for mayor. Within the National Republican Association (ANR, Colorado Party) alone there are seven aspirants, including one facing legal proceedings. The Cartista faction, linked to former President Horacio Cartes, arrives divided: Magno Álvarez, backed by the Zacarías Irún clan — which controlled the mayor's office for nearly two decades — declared campaign spending of G. 625 million, while Rigoberto Chamorro, an ally of Governor César Landy Torres, leads with G. 950 million. Other Colorado candidates, such as Gustavo Ovelar (an Itaipu employee) and Richar Alfonso (supported by former Vice President Hugo Velázquez), report lower spending, and Delio Fernández and Jorge Cabrera claim to spend zero guaranis. Cabrera, however, faces a judicial process for embezzlement, according to local reports.
For the Authentic Radical Liberal Party (PLRA), two candidates are vying for the nomination: former interim mayor María Portillo, backed by Central Governor Ricardo Estigarribia, with spending of G. 100 million, and Laura Folle, supported by Senator Ever Villalba, who paradoxically also backs the Yo Creo candidate in Ciudad del Este. The Yo Creo party, which retook the mayor's office in November 2025 with Dani Mujica after Prieto's removal, presents a single candidate and declares zero spending. The Mboriahu Memby Party has launched Luis Cuellar Flores, a former Colorado member and former activist of the National Crusade.
In Villa Hayes, the race takes on the contours of a direct confrontation with the local government. The pre-candidate of the Acuerdo Guaraní Hayes, Juan Pablo González Sander, a professor at the Faculty of Architecture, received explicit support from Miguel Prieto, who called for “eradicating” local authorities. The coalition brings together nine parties, including Yo Creo, the National Crusade, and the Citizen Participation Party, led by Senator Esperanza Martínez. González Sander will face the ANR candidate emerging from the internal contest and physician Héctor Agüero, from the Unidos por Villa Hayes alliance (PLRA and PPQ). Current mayor Luis López, an ally of Senate President Basilio Núñez, is the target of criticism from Prieto, who promised to invest millions of state funds in the district if he reaches the presidency in 2028.
The internal elections take place amid a scenario of fragmentation and corruption accusations, with the Cartista faction divided and the liberal opposition split between alliances with Yo Creo and the National Crusade.