Pre-candidate for the presidency from the Colorado Añetete movement, Arnoldo Wiens, stated that the government uses money from binational companies to finance trolls and digital farms that harass and spread lies against those who think differently. The statement was made during a rally supporting Rubén González's candidacy for mayor of Piribebuy, brother of dissident deputy Roberto González.
Wiens also mentioned the scandal known as “La Red Desinformante,” which allegedly invested about half a million dollars in platforms such as Meta and Google to attack independent journalists and political opponents. President Santiago Peña tried to distance himself from one of the main involved, Juan Roberto “Jimmy” Villaverde Emategui, but journalistic records show that in May 2023, Peña confirmed Villaverde as responsible for his digital presence.
“Today they use the judiciary and public money to harass those who do not submit,” declared Wiens, who also criticized the Supreme Court and the Public Ministry, stating that they are “subservient to the current government and the power of money.”
The former Minister of Public Works also warned that there is fear among public employees and leaders of suffering political retaliation. “There are people who are even afraid to appear in a photo because punishments or transfers follow,” he said.
Wiens also recalled cases of corruption and privileges within the ruling party, such as the “Chinese desks” and the “envelopes at Mburuvicha Róga,” while many families cannot afford to buy meat.