Asunción's acting mayor details 11 months of fiscal discipline post-intervention

Luis Bello, the acting mayor of Asunción, has presented a detailed account of his 11 months in office, emphasizing fiscal responsibility and transparency following a period of institutional crisis. Taking over after the intervention and resignation of former mayor Óscar “Nenecho” Rodríguez, Bello stressed that his administration hired no new employees and issued no new bonds. He aimed to contrast his tenure with the previous one, focusing on austerity, financial order, and restoring public trust.

Bello acknowledged inheriting a "severely damaged" institution but defended his measures to stabilize finances without halting essential services. A significant achievement highlighted was the elimination of the controversial "Municipal Single Account," previously criticized for a lack of financial traceability. He also pointed to the decision not to pursue new debt issuance and reiterated that no new personnel were hired during his nearly year-long mandate.

Financially, Bello's administration allocated 55 billion Paraguayan guaranis to settle accumulated debts with municipal retirees, including 16.5 billion guaranis in commitments carried over from previous administrations. In terms of infrastructure, the "Plan 400 cuadras" (400 blocks) initiative and strategic partnerships with Itaipú Binacional were credited for road maintenance. This included resurfacing approximately 20,000 square meters of asphalt and completing 4,000 pothole repairs monthly, alongside the acquisition of 11 new garbage trucks.

The report also detailed the reactivation of stalled drainage projects in areas like Santo Domingo, San Pablo, and near the Abasto Market. With the looming threat of the El Niño phenomenon and potential river flooding, the municipality outlined its contingency plan. Bello's presentation focused on rebuilding confidence and demonstrating a commitment to sound financial management and essential public services.

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El intendente de Asunción, Luis Bello, rindió cuentas de sus 11 meses de gestión y, en medio de la crisis institucional, pudo destacar que no contrató a un solo funcionario ni emitió nuevos bonos tras la salida de “Nenecho” Rodríguez.