Colorado Party defends Comptroller candidate amid legal challenge

Paraguay's ruling Colorado Party and its allies are strongly backing Camilo Benítez Aldana's re-election as Comptroller, maneuvering to secure his position despite constitutional objections. The push for Benítez's return faces significant opposition from Senator Líder Amarilla, who argues that Benítez has already served the maximum allowed re-elections.

Amarilla, a member of the Liberal Radical Authentic Party (PLRA), formally requested Benítez's exclusion from the list of 36 candidates for Comptroller and Deputy Comptroller. He contends that Benítez's prior appointments in 2019 (as a replacement for a resigned official) and 2021 (by Congress) constitute two terms, making a further re-election unconstitutional. The PLRA's leadership, however, seems divided, with Deputy Jorge Ávalos Mariño reportedly disregarding the party's directive.

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In 2019, Mr. Camilo Benítez was not appointed or elected as comptroller, he assumed said position replacing the appointed comptroller. Therefore, only in 2021 was he elected for the first time, and thus, according to Article 22 of the Comptroller's organic law, he can be re-elected for one more term.

The Senate's Constitutional Affairs Commission has advanced Benítez's candidacy to the full Senate, citing a legal opinion from congressional advisor Emilio Camacho. Camacho's report argues that Benítez's initial assumption of the role in 2019 was not a formal election but a substitution, thus his 2021 designation was his first official term. This interpretation allows for another re-election under Article 22 of the Comptroller's organic law.

Senator Amarilla sharply criticized Camacho's opinion, accusing him of currying favor with the current administration. He contrasted Camacho's legal interpretation with arguments from constitutional lawyers Evelio Fernández Arévalo and José Antonio Moreno Ruffinelli, suggesting a politically motivated legal defense for Benítez. The final decision on the Comptroller and Deputy Comptroller rests with the Senate and subsequently the Chamber of Deputies.

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There are legal advisors who, unfortunately, want to ingratiate themselves with the power of the day... this is what is lamentable.