Cartistas ask to respect “popular will,” but in Peru

A group of Paraguayan senators, led by Lizarella Valiente, introduced a resolution urging Peru to respect the "popular will" in its upcoming presidential elections. The proposal, however, sparked significant debate within Paraguay's Senate, with many lawmakers viewing it as an inappropriate intervention in a sovereign nation's internal affairs.

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The Peruvians go to the polls next Sunday where they will elect their next president and we urge the Peruvian nation to guarantee the electoral process and respect the popular will.

Senator Blanca Ovelar provided a sharp rebuke to Valiente's initiative, offering a lesson in international law and diplomacy. Ovelar questioned Paraguay's standing to issue such exhortations to Peru, a country with established institutions. She emphasized the importance of careful political discourse, noting its impact on how neighboring countries perceive Paraguay.

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Let's deal with Paraguay's problems, which are already enough, and not with nonsense.

Critics of the resolution, including Senator Rafael Filizzola, argued that Paraguay should focus on its own domestic issues. Filizzola stated that interfering in Peru's elections was unnecessary, especially when Paraguay itself faces scrutiny over its own electoral processes. Senator Yolanda Paredes echoed these sentiments, highlighting concerns about the oversight of voting stages in Paraguay.

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That is precisely what is lacking in Paraguay's elections, oversight at all stages of the vote.

The irony of the situation was not lost on several senators. They pointed out that while advocating for Peru's electoral integrity, the proponents of the resolution, often referred to as "cartistas," face criticism regarding the transparency of voting machines rented from companies linked to their political faction for Paraguay's own upcoming elections.

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Who are we to urge a sovereign country that has strong institutions?