The Paraguayan Journalists' Union (SPP) has demanded the dismissal of the Minister of Information and Communication Technologies, Gustavo Villate, after investigations revealed a purported structure funded with public resources to attack journalists and political opponents. In a statement, the SPP asserted that the publications linking the government, especially the Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies (Mitic), to the so-called "Disinformation Network" are sufficient grounds to call for Villate's removal.
The union argues that the use of public funds to promote harassment campaigns against press professionals violates the international commitments undertaken by Paraguay regarding freedom of expression, access to information, and the protection of journalistic work. Furthermore, the SPP criticized Villate for directing personal attacks at journalist Leonardo Gómez, whom he called an "activist" and a "communist," instead of responding to the allegations about the management of Mitic and the lack of institutional transparency.
The SPP also called on the Public Prosecutor's Office to conduct a serious and independent investigation into the "Disinformation Network" and its possible connection to state agents in the persecution and harassment of journalists. The union further urged media companies to adopt protective measures for Gómez against potential retaliation, both physical and legal.
The scandal emerged after an investigation revealed that Juan Roberto "Jimmy" Villaverde Emategui, a Mitic employee, was linked to attack pages. The government denied he was an official employee, describing him as a "Colorado Party militant" who allegedly hired a company to boost campaigns against journalists and opponents on social media.