Presidential pre-candidate Arnoldo Wiens, from the Colorado Añetete movement, intensified his discourse against the Colorado establishment during a political rally in Villarrica, at the close of the campaign of mayoral candidate Alfredo Toledo for the party primaries on June 7. Wiens criticized sectors that, according to him, remain "bolted to power" and use public office for personal and economic interests, stating that such practices do not represent the historical values of the National Republican Association (ANR).
"There are people bolted to power. Today there are privileged people who use public office for personal benefits," Wiens declared. The statements come amid the internal dispute between Colorado Añetete and Honor Colorado, a movement linked to former President Horacio Cartes. Wiens seeks to position himself as an opposition figure to cartismo within the Colorado Party and reduce the political influence of Vice President Pedro Alliana for the 2028 electoral scenario.
At another moment, the former minister revived former President Mario Abdo Benítez's discourse about the "true colorados," in reference to sectors of the establishment whose leaders would not have long party militancy. The allusion indirectly targeted President Santiago Peña, who began his political career in the Liberal Party before joining the ANR. Wiens also questioned aspects of government management, such as the increase in the price of meat and the economic situation of the population. "We cannot defend privileges while thousands of Paraguayans wait for answers," he said.
Currently, Villarrica is administered by the Authentic Radical Liberal Party (PLRA), under the management of Mayor Magín Benítez. The Colorado Party seeks to reclaim the commune but needs to resolve the internal competition between the opposing sectors of the ANR. Wiens, a former Minister of Public Works, also faces a lawsuit related to the Metrobús project. Last February, he was reported for alleged patrimonial damage to the State after the demolition of structures of the project initiated during the government of Horacio Cartes and later dismantled under the administration of Mario Abdo.