Filizzola: HC uses Prosecutor's Office and Judiciary to remove Prieto and Wiens from the field

Senator Rafael Filizzola has issued a stark warning against the use of judicial processes to sideline political candidates, describing it as a "very dangerous path" that mirrors the initial steps toward authoritarianism seen in Venezuela. He specifically pointed to the cases of presidential hopefuls Miguel Prieto, from the opposition, and Arnoldo Wiens, from the ruling Colorado Party, raising concerns about the actions of the Prosecutor's Office and the Judiciary.

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the use of judicial processes against political leaders to prevent their candidacies constitutes “a very dangerous path”

Filizzola asserted during a Senate session that employing judicial proceedings for political ends poses a significant threat to Paraguayan democracy. He drew parallels with Venezuela, where he claims the authoritarian drift began with the disqualification of opposition leaders from electoral competition. He recalled how thousands of leaders were barred from running under various pretexts, citing the disqualification of María Corina Machado and other opposition candidates as examples. "In Venezuela, the ruling party chooses who they want to compete with," Filizzola summarized, suggesting this scenario should serve as a cautionary tale for Paraguay.

The senator stressed that the concern extends beyond election outcomes to the fundamental conditions under which candidates participate. He then applied this concern to the Paraguayan political landscape, specifically mentioning Miguel Prieto, the mayor of Ciudad del Este and an opposition presidential aspirant. Filizzola questioned the numerous judicial processes affecting Prieto, linking them to his potential removal from the Ciudad del Este municipality. "One of the many opposition candidates for the Presidency of the Republic, and I refer to Miguel Prieto, is facing judicial processes. I don't know if it's one or how many, he has about 30," the senator stated.

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Here the ruling party of Venezuela chooses who they want to compete with.

Filizzola expressed doubt about the genuine intentions behind some of these legal actions, considering the political climate and the current leadership of the Public Ministry. He also highlighted the case of Arnoldo Wiens, a former Minister of Public Works and a political figure, in relation to the failed Metrobús project. Filizzola questioned the judicial proceedings surrounding Wiens, implying they could be politically motivated attempts to remove him from the electoral arena.

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One of the many candidates we have in the opposition for the Presidency of the Republic, and I refer to Miguel Prieto, is facing judicial processes. I don't know if it's one or how many, he has about 30.