Insist on knowing if Peña operated with a 'double pen' to sign the SOFA agreement with the US

The Paraguayan Chamber of Deputies is revisiting a contentious issue: the legality of President Santiago Peña signing the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with the United States while on a trip to Chile. Deputy Johanna Ortega of the Partido País Solidario (PPS) is leading the charge, demanding clarification on whether the executive branch operated with a "double pen" – meaning both the President and Vice President potentially exercising authority simultaneously.

Ortega's insistence stems from constitutional articles that stipulate the Vice President assumes presidential powers during the President's absence. She argues that the signing of the SOFA in Chile on March 13th, during Peña's official visit for the inauguration of Chilean President José Antonio Kast, and in the presence of U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Landau, should have been handled by Vice President Pedro Alliana.

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This situation generates institutional questions regarding who was effectively exercising the headship of the Executive Power on the indicated date, considering that Article 227 of the National Constitution establishes that, in case of absence of the President of the Republic, the Vice President assumes the exercise of the Presidency.

This situation creates significant institutional questions for Paraguay. The core of the debate revolves around the clear separation of powers and the proper execution of presidential duties as outlined in the National Constitution. The fact that this request for information was initially shelved by the majority in the Chamber of Deputies suggests a political dimension to the controversy, with some factions perhaps seeking to avoid scrutiny of the executive's actions.

From a Paraguayan perspective, this is not just a procedural debate but a matter of upholding constitutional integrity and ensuring transparency in international agreements. The media outlet ABC Color, by highlighting Deputy Ortega's persistent questioning, reflects a commitment to holding the government accountable and informing the public about potential oversteps in executive authority. The focus on the "double pen" highlights a concern about the concentration and potential misuse of power, a theme that resonates deeply in a region with a history of political instability.

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The Executive cannot be operating with a 'double pen,' that is, that both President Peña, while traveling – as is more than usual – and Alliana in the country can exercise prerogatives such as promulgating laws.