Opposition senators expressed concern over the recent enactment of the law declaring a national emergency in road safety in Paraguay, warning of the risk of uncontrolled or politically motivated use of public resources.
Senator José Oviedo, of the Yo Creo movement, stated that the emergency declaration was unnecessary, as there is no exponential increase in traffic accidents to justify the measure. "There was no need to declare a road safety emergency. We do not see a significant rise in accident cases. We have many, especially involving motorcycles, but there is no exponential increase in cases that could justify a road safety emergency declaration," he said.
Oviedo questioned the lack of clarity in the text enacted by Congress, which contains only three main articles. He particularly criticized a provision that calls for "exceptional administrative measures" without specifying what they would be, and the generic reference to "technological means" without detailing whether these would be speed cameras, automated ticketing systems, or other equipment. "The bill is very brief, it has three main articles and says nothing," he stated.
The senator also warned that the law could allow the reallocation of resources or the use of the budget without oversight from Public Procurement. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that the budget increases needed to implement the measures still need to be formally requested within the General Budget of the Nation.
On the political front, Oviedo drew attention to the fact that the law has a one-year duration, coinciding with the electoral calendar of the upcoming municipal elections and the 2027 primaries, ahead of the 2028 general elections. "Why one year, and why declare a road safety emergency right now? It is very striking, and the driving force behind it is a member of the Senate president's political team," said the opposition legislator, referring to Cartes-aligned deputies and recalling that the director of the National Traffic and Road Safety Agency (ANTSV), Félix Giménez, was seen at a political rally alongside the president of Congress, Basilio Bachi Núñez.
During the Senate session in which the bill was approved, lawmakers who voiced opposition were "attacked" by government-aligned legislators, who argued that the criticisms stemmed from a misreading of the text.