Asphalt Mafia: Councilman fears evidence loss as investigation opens

Asunción councilman Pablo Callizo has welcomed the opening of a Fiscalía investigation into the alleged "Mafia of Asphalt" but voiced serious concerns about the preservation of evidence. The probe targets suspected corruption within the Directorate of Roadways of the Asunción Municipality, focusing on the alleged misuse of municipal machinery, materials, and personnel for private projects.

Callizo highlighted the speed with which the Prosecutor's Office, led by Luis Piñánez and Christian Benítez, initiated the investigation, occurring just a week after his initial complaint. He specifically noted the cases involving the alleged use of municipal resources for a sports complex parking lot and a dealership. "We want to determine who the responsible parties are and who gave the orders," Callizo stated, expressing skepticism that such extensive operations, like the reported 70 tons of asphalt, could occur without higher-level authorization and oversight.

The councilman suspects a wider network is involved, suggesting that basic controls within the Directorate of Roadways should have prevented such misuse. He fears that the upcoming electoral period might have intensified these illicit dealings. Callizo also pointed to the recent discovery of 1,200 liters of unused fuel by the interim director, Óscar Pérez, questioning its prior usage and calling for transparency.

Further complicating the situation, Callizo revealed that he has received additional reports of fuel theft directly from the Directorate of Roadways. These allegations suggest that fuel was being falsely attributed to vehicles that were either decommissioned or had been in municipal storage for years. The investigation aims to uncover the full extent of the alleged corruption and hold all involved parties accountable.