Controversial candidate virtual mayor of Quyquyhó after rival withdrawal

Mercedes Medina Yegros, representing Lista 2N of Honor Colorado, has emerged as the virtual candidate for mayor of Quyquyhó following the withdrawal of the opposing Lista 2A. The internal elections of the National Republican Association (ANR) in the district saw Yegros's candidacy propelled by Deputy Esteban Samaniego and Paraguarí Governor Norma Zárate de Monges.

The Lista 2A sector, which had nominated Gabriel Derene, boycotted the elections. Their team alleged that ballot boxes were manipulated by individuals not affiliated with the Electoral Justice system. They also cited an incident where a person was reportedly injured by bodyguards of Deputy Samaniego as grounds for withdrawing, citing a lack of guarantees after a physical assault against citizen Manuel Amarilla near a polling station.

Medina Yegros, the virtual mayoral candidate, currently works for the Superior Electoral Justice Tribunal (TSJE). She is also facing charges of breach of trust and illicit enrichment alongside Deputy Samaniego and the current mayor, Patricia Corvalán.

In response to the reported incident, the ANR's Independent Electoral Tribunal (TEI) provisionally suspended the elections. Leaders from Lista 2A announced their intention to petition the TEI to nullify the internal elections held in Quyquyhó. Despite the controversies, after a fiscal verification of the electronic ballot boxes confirmed no signs of tampering, voting tables were reopened.