13 Years in Prison for Ruling Party Senator on Drug and Money Laundering Charges

The political landscape of Paraguay has been shaken by a severe prison sentence handed down to a prominent member of the ruling party. Senator Erico Galeano, a member of the Colorado Party, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for his involvement in drug trafficking and money laundering. This decision by the appeals court definitively seals the fate of the 59-year-old senator, who was elected under President Santiago Peña's administration.

Galeano was found guilty of forming criminal organizations, laundering money derived from drug trafficking, and providing logistical support to drug cartels. While prosecutors sought a 17-year sentence, the court upheld the initial 13-year sentence imposed in March. The judicial process has brought to light Galeano's illicit connections, particularly his ties to Uruguayan drug trafficker Sebastian Marset, one of South America's most wanted criminals, and Paraguayan baron Miguel Ángel Insfrán, who received a 15-year sentence in 2025.

The court detailed how Galeano integrated illicit funds into the financial system. His football club, Deportivo Capiata, served as a vehicle for converting illegal money into personal wealth. Furthermore, a property purchased for $200,000 in 2020 was later sold for $1 million in cash to a buyer linked to drug trafficking, with the transaction concealed from tax declarations and asset reports. Galeano is also accused of making his private plane available to drug traffickers for cocaine shipments.

This case highlights a disturbing intersection of politics and organized crime in Paraguay. The conviction of a sitting senator sends a strong message about the judiciary's commitment to tackling high-profile corruption. However, it also raises serious questions about the extent of drug cartel influence within the country's political structures. The revelations about Galeano's methods, including the use of legitimate businesses and undeclared assets, underscore the sophisticated nature of money laundering operations.