The Minister of the Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies (Mitic) provided false information to Congress by denying the execution of funds for digital advertising, concealing secret agreements worth up to US$ 8 million annually that were outsourced through the Itaipu Technological Park Foundation (PTI-PY).
Senado
The Senate is the upper chamber of Paraguay's Congress. It votes on laws, appointments, and oversight measures, making it a central arena of national politics.
A congressman has requested an urgent investigation into the cattle deaths in Ñeembucú, where reports point to bovine rabies as a possible cause, in order to prevent further losses for small-scale farmers.
The Paraguayan Senate is investigating the blocking of a video of its session on YouTube, possibly due to the use of copyrighted FIFA footage, but the content remains available on its official channels.
The Coordinator of Victims of the Promissory Note Mafia is denouncing judicial fraud that has resulted in forced evictions and the loss of property for rural communities and small business owners in Paraguay, demanding action from the Supreme Court and scheduling a protest for July 13.
Lawmakers are calling on the Central Bank of Paraguay (BCP) and the National Development Bank (BNF) to reinstate the automatic deduction of salaries, which was suspended due to the "Mafia of the Promissory Notes." They argue that the blanket measure harms legitimate businesses, while the Legislature faces criticism for its inaction in combating the scheme that has victimized thousands.
The Paraguayan Chamber of Deputies rejected a bill that would have eliminated bonuses for high-ranking officials until 2026 in order to allocate the funds to public health, following a debate that highlighted the contrast between these benefits and the minimum wage.
Opposition senator Antonio Rubén Velázquez announced a reform of Paraguay's 1988 drug law to combat organized crime, including updated penalties, regulation of medicinal cannabis, implementation of plea bargaining, and addressing the infiltration of drug traffickers into Paraguayan politics.
The seizure of over four tons of cocaine of Paraguayan origin at the port of Barcelona in July 2024 contradicts President Santiago Peña's claims that the country is no longer a drug corridor and that no cocaine leaving Paraguay has been seized in European ports since the start of his administration.
Paraguayan congressional leaders were recorded on an open microphone discussing opposition lawmaker Raúl Benítez, who accused the conversation of revealing "mafia codes," while the ruling party dismissed it as a mere anecdote.
The presidents of Paraguay and Chile, Santiago Peña and José Antonio Kast, signed tax cooperation and human trafficking prevention agreements during an official visit to Asunción, strengthening bilateral ties and highlighting regional integration.
President Santiago Peña presented his third report to Congress with data on growth, poverty, employment, and public works. However, compiled media coverage indicates the assessment is contested by the opposition, economists, and social sectors for its omissions regarding the deficit, debt, healthcare, energy, corruption, and inequality.
The President of Paraguay will present his annual management report to the National Congress on July 1, fulfilling a constitutional obligation aimed at transparency and accountability of the Executive branch to the Legislature, with no penalties for non-compliance.
Paraguay's Chamber of Deputies reopened the debate on the return to seasonal time changes, with a bill proposed by Congressman Édgar Olmedo that calls for ending the single time zone and reinstating the changes between UTC-3 in summer and UTC-4 in winter.
Senator Juan Afara proposed in the Senate the issuance of $304 million in government bonds to guarantee the purchase of medicines and medical supplies for the IPS.
The House of Representatives postponed for 15 days the analysis of a bill that provides for the payment of default interest to construction companies for halted public works, after lawmakers raised concerns about legal issues and the high fiscal cost.
The Paraguayan Senate passed the bill creating the National Registry of Students with High Intellectual Capacity, which had already been approved by the Chamber of Deputies and was sent to the Executive Branch for enactment or veto.
The president of Paraguay's Congress, Basilio "Bachi" Núñez, is the most sought-after Judas Kái effigy among Market 4 vendors in Asunción for this year's San Juan celebrations.
The Senate approved with modifications the bill that restricts the use of portable electronic devices in early childhood, primary, and secondary education institutions, allowing their use only for educational purposes and according to each school's internal regulations, and sent the proposal to the Chamber of Deputies for review.
Liberal Congressman Freddy Franco criticized the bill passed by the Senate that regulates the use of cell phones in schools, arguing that the restriction would represent a technological setback for Paraguay and hinder access to knowledge and the development of talent.
Three candidates — Édgar Hernán Sosa, Rubén Darío Robadín, and Óscar Enrique Rolón — are vying for the position of Comptroller General of the Republic in Paraguay, with expectations that new authorities will be chosen as early as November, following a process led by Congress.
The president of Paraguay, Santiago Peña, presented his third annual report to the Colorado Party, facing criticism from the opposition, which questions the priority given to the party over Congress.
The Paraguayan Senate is reviewing on Wednesday, the 16th, a bill authored by Senator Lilian Samaniego that proposes the so-called "express divorce," allowing couples with mutual agreement to divorce directly before a judge, without the need for lawyers or payment of court fees and legal costs.
The Senate of Paraguay established a Special Investigation Commission on Monday, June 15, to investigate the issuance, sale, and use of allegedly fake or irregular university degrees, diplomas, and higher education certificates. This follows the scandal involving Universidad Sudamericana, which is believed to have issued around 2,500 irregular degrees over three to four years, a case that led to the resignation of former senator Hernán Rivas.
President Santiago Peña has proposed a bill to eliminate the 3% upfront payment for rural land titling in Paraguay, making it easier for thousands of farming families to obtain property titles and extending payment terms to up to 20 years for men and 30 years for women.