Government Lied: 'Jimmy' Villaverde Was Commissioned at Mitic, Not Just a 'Militant'

Juan Roberto "Jimmy" Villaverde, accused of orchestrating a "dirty campaign" on social media against government critics, was not merely a "simple militant" as initially claimed by Paraguayan President Santiago Peña and Minister Gustavo Villate. Evidence has emerged, and now an admission from Minister Villate himself, that Villaverde was officially commissioned to the Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies (Mitic).

President Peña had previously stated on May 16 that Villaverde was "just a militant of the party like thousands of others" and "does not work in the Government's communication area." Minister Villate and Deputy Minister of Communications Alejandra Duarte Albospino also denied any state affiliation. However, in a response to a request for information submitted to Congress, Villate acknowledged that Villaverde was commissioned to Mitic for "2 months and 20 days" between September 1 and November 20, 2023.

This admission comes after reporting by ABC Color revealed Villaverde's involvement in presidential activities. He was part of a delegation covering President Santiago Peña's activities in Paraguarí on October 9, 2023, reportedly as "social media manager." A corresponding per diem payment was made in November 2023. Despite the alleged end of his commission, Villaverde was reportedly seen in meetings at the presidential residence, Mburuvicha Roga, on May 28, 2025, alongside Deputy Minister Duarte Albospino, suggesting continued proximity to government operations.

The Ministry also faced scrutiny over the issuance of presidential credentials to Villaverde. While Mitic initially denied this, documentation indicates resolutions from September and October 2023 that appear to grant such credentials. The government's shifting narrative and the eventual admission of Villaverde's commissioned status raise questions about transparency and the administration's initial handling of the allegations.