Expert Detects Major Financial Discrepancies in Paraguayan President Peña's Disclosures

An in-depth analysis of Paraguayan President Santiago Peña's financial declarations has uncovered significant inconsistencies, raising questions about the evolution of his wealth. Lawyer and public information access expert Ezequiel Santagada has meticulously examined the figures provided by Peña, particularly following a recent resolution by the Comptroller General of the Republic (CGR) that deemed his asset progression favorable.

Santagada's independent investigation, which cross-referenced official declaration data with previously leaked income information, highlights a substantial gap. Peña declared a net worth of approximately 23 billion guaraníes in 2023 and 25 billion guaraníes in 2025. The official explanation attributes this capital growth to his high remuneration as a director at Banco Basa between May 2018 and July 2022, after leaving the Ministry of Finance.

However, Santagada's calculations suggest a different picture. When adding Peña's initial net worth in 2017 (around 2 billion guaraníes) to his total demonstrable and declared income during his time at Banco Basa, the estimated total comes to about 13 billion guaraníes. This leaves a discrepancy of roughly 9 billion guaraníes between his declared assets upon taking office in 2023 and his verifiable earnings, a gap that the CGR's review reportedly overlooked.

Santagada criticized the CGR's approach, labeling it a "double standard." He argued that the oversight body applied lenient criteria to the president's declarations while maintaining stricter standards for other public officials in similar situations. The analysis also noted unusual patterns in Peña's debt payments and loan acquisitions after assuming the presidency, further fueling scrutiny over his financial dealings.

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A double standard was used.