Caapucú Mayor Accused of 'Municipal Dictatorship' as Councilors Take Complaints to Congress

Liberal councilors in Caapucú have escalated their accusations against the resigning mayor, Gustavo Penayo, to the National Congress, labeling his actions as a "municipal dictatorship." The councilors allege they are victims of "abuse and intimidation" since Penayo, of the ANR-HC party, refused to accept the appointment of his successor in June.

Penayo, who resigned on June 3 to seek re-election, reportedly withdrew his resignation when the designated replacement was not a party loyalist. This move sparked a tense atmosphere in the city. The situation reportedly worsened when unidentified individuals allegedly locked seven opposition councilors inside the Municipal Board building and used pepper spray to prevent them from carrying out their duties. Meanwhile, Penayo allegedly attended the swearing-in of substitutes in another municipal venue.

Senator Ever Amarilla condemned the actions as "another abuse in the Cartista era," stating that Penayo is attempting to dismiss councilors who refuse to comply with his demands. "This mayor threatens and prohibits councilors from entering the municipal building, while he tries at all costs to have the substitutes sworn in," Amarilla said. He added that Penayo previously attempted to ban Halloween celebrations in the city.

The vice president of the Municipal Board, Luis Carlos Agüero, accused the board's president, Lidia Téllez, of acting on Penayo's orders to dismiss councilors and create an institutional breakdown. Agüero stated that Téllez refuses to approve the minutes of the session where Penayo's resignation was submitted, and the minutes book has reportedly gone missing. The councilors plan to pursue all administrative and judicial avenues, and if justice is not found in Paraguay, they will seek recourse with international organizations.