Kattya González ruling imminent as Supreme Court vote count finalized

The Supreme Court of Justice is poised to issue a ruling on Kattya González's legal challenge against her removal from the Senate. Sources indicate that the nine votes required for a decision have been secured, and the court is now in the process of drafting and finalizing the resolution. González was expelled from Congress on February 14, 2024, through a process she and the article allege violated the Senate's own regulations.

González contends that her expulsion was orchestrated by Horacio Cartes in retaliation for her exposing the 'Nepobabies' scandal, involving children of parliamentarians and the vice president holding high-paying public sector jobs. She also claims it was a response to her push for an investigation into Senator Hernán Rivas's allegedly fraudulent academic title, which ultimately led to Rivas's resignation. The article notes that González's expulsion occurred with only 23 votes, falling short of the 30 votes stipulated in the Senate's internal rules.

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The only thing I can say is that the Court has the obligation to define this case. We know that the law, that the Constitution is on our side.

Speaking to ABC Digital, González expressed frustration over the delay, referencing a court secretary's earlier acknowledgment of a completed voting circuit, followed by a minister's statement that votes were still pending. She emphasized the court's obligation to rule on the case, asserting that the law and constitution are on her side. González warned that an unfavorable ruling would pose a significant threat to the Republic and democracy, as it would signal that neither the Chamber of Deputies nor the Senate needs to adhere to proper procedures when sanctioning individuals. She fears this could lead to the arbitrary removal of any opposition figure who becomes inconvenient, simply by generating a majority vote.

The article details that among those who voted for González's removal were members of the 'cartista' and 'liberocartista' factions. Several senators, including Norma Aquino, Javier Vera, Hernán Rivas, and Erico Galeano, have since been expelled or resigned. The impending court decision is highly anticipated, with the document expected to be released imminently as it moves through the final stages of drafting and signature.

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If this turns out negative, the consequences can be truly devastating for our Republic and our democracy. Because it will mean for those who are still resisting that neither deputies nor senators need to respect any process. It would be enough for them to generate a majority so that in 10 minutes the loss of investiture of any opponent who bothers them can be articulated.