The president of Paraguay's Chamber of Deputies, Raúl Latorre, said that former President Horacio Cartes “has no rival” to continue leading the National Republican Association (ANR), the Colorado Party. In remarks to the press, Latorre said that within the ruling party, “there is no other candidate” capable of competing for the party presidency with Cartes.
“It would be a tremendous honor if he could run again for the party presidency,” Latorre declared, also describing Cartes as “the most influential Paraguayan politician of this century” and crediting him with the Colorado Party's return to power after its first electoral defeat in the democratic era.
The deputy stated that, even with the ANR's tradition of internal competition, a potential candidacy by Cartes would practically define the electoral scenario before the contest began. “If Horacio Cartes is a candidate, it is as if the party were already decided before it starts,” he said.
Asked about the current party president's health condition and his ability to remain in office, Latorre replied that he sees Cartes “stronger every day” and fully capable, noting that he has already resumed activities in the party, the business world, and sports.
Latorre also defended the former president against the international sanctions he faced in recent years, calling them “absolutely unjust.” He acknowledged that there is, in various sectors of the ruling party, a request for Cartes to run again for the party presidency.