“A Government of Liars and Cheats Without Moral Standing”: Former Incan Director Lashes Out

Marcelo Galli, a former director of Paraguay’s National Cancer Institute, has launched a blistering attack on President Santiago Peña’s government as negotiations with doctors remain deadlocked and a national strike looms.

“When you sit down to negotiate with liars, nothing good can come of it. This is a government of liars, manipulators and cheats,” Galli said, accusing state representatives of lacking the moral standing to deny doctors a decent pay increase.

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When you sit down to negotiate with liars, nothing good can come of it. This is a government of liars, manipulators and cheats.

The comments came amid mass resignations by doctors and the announcement of a national strike. The government has yet to reach an agreement with the National Medical Union over a crisis that has intensified around wages and working conditions.

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That is all a lie. When you sit down to negotiate with liars, nothing good can come of it. This is a government of liars and manipulators.

Galli said the central demand was a minimum salary of 8 million guaraníes for each 12-hour contract. He argued that only 20% of doctors hold three contracts, while most have one contract and, if they are fortunate, another with the Social Security Institute. He said he himself holds two contracts in the public health system despite having served as a hospital director.

He also challenged the government’s announcement of $760 million for the purchase of supplies and medicines, asking who would monitor the figures and suggesting the money would go toward paying earlier debts. Galli said the state should cut privileges such as VIP insurance, catering services and various bonuses in public administration.

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The only thing the state should do is cut privileges, including VIP insurance, catering services and various bonuses in public administration.

He added that officials were displaying 850 million guaraníes in additional privileges while denying doctors a dignified salary. Galli said any compromise had to come from the top, including Peña, and also referred to Congress president Basilio “Bachi” Núñez, whom he described as a fellow doctor and former student at the same university, despite their many differences.

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You cannot sit down to negotiate with cheats. They do not have the moral standing to deny doctors a decent salary increase when they flaunt 850 million guaraníes in additional privileges.