Alleged Political Campaigning Denounced Over Senior Pension Card Distribution in Humaitá

Residents of Humaitá have raised concerns over the alleged political exploitation of a social benefit program. They accuse officialista candidate Héctor Cáceres of using the distribution of pension cards for elderly citizens as a platform for his mayoral campaign.

Normally, these pension cards are distributed by the Paraguayan Post Office or the Municipal Secretariat for the Elderly. However, witnesses claim that Cáceres, accompanied by a municipal council candidate, actively participated in the card distribution. Following the event, photographs were posted on social media, attributing the delivery to the "management work" of officialist leaders and the support of the National Government.

This has sparked criticism among locals, who argue that social benefits funded by public resources should not be used to promote candidacies, especially during the pre-election period. They believe that access to such benefits should remain impartial and free from political association.

Cáceres has denied the allegations, calling them a "bad faith campaign" against him. He stated that his presence at the distribution was coincidental, and he was simply accompanying officials from the Ministry of Social Development who were carrying out the procedure. He insists he did not organize the delivery himself.

The incident has fueled a debate within the community about the separation of social programs from political activities. Many citizens emphasize the importance of transparency and ensuring that beneficiaries do not perceive their access to rights as dependent on specific candidates or political figures.