Former Asunción official to face trial in 'golden detergent' corruption case

Wilfrido Adrián Cáceres Flores, formerly the chief of staff for Óscar “Nenecho” Rodríguez during his tenure as mayor of Asunción, is set to stand trial for alleged breach of trust in the "detergente de oro" (golden detergent) case. A specialized judge in economic crimes has ordered an oral trial for Cáceres, focusing specifically on the charge of breach of trust while excluding the accusation of criminal association.

Judge Rodrigo Estigarribia accepted the indictment presented by prosecutor Silvio Corbeta Dinamarca but limited the scope to the breach of trust offense. The judge's decision followed a preliminary hearing that concluded on Tuesday. Cáceres was considered Rodríguez's "right-hand man" during the period Rodríguez served as mayor, from December 2019 to August 2025.

Estigarribia also dismissed motions filed by the defense seeking to nullify the indictment and exclude technical expert evidence. These motions were raised during the preliminary hearing that began the previous day.

The "detergente de oro" case primarily implicates former Asunción mayor Óscar Nenecho Rodríguez. However, his preliminary hearing has been delayed due to pending appeals before the Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice, preventing the case against him from moving forward.