Lawmaker tells Paraguay's president to apologize for corruption before demanding one

Paraguayan President Santiago Peña's demand for an apology over his "suspicious fortune" has been met with a counter-demand from legislator Federico "Fredy" Franco. Franco, a member of the opposition PLRA party, stated that Peña should first apologize for allowing a "carnival" of corruption to persist at the Social Welfare Institute (IPS) under his watch.

Franco, speaking to ABC Color, called Peña's request for an apology "highly inappropriate." He attributed Peña's "vehement reaction" to criticism of his wealth to his inexperience in politics. "President Santiago Peña was the product of a whim by Horacio Cartes. He was never a politician. He never held a position in a section, never a councilor, never a mayor," Franco asserted. "Therefore, he doesn't understand much about political matters."

The deputy specifically pointed to Peña's decision to retain former IPS president Jorge Magno Brítez despite numerous corruption allegations. Brítez is now under investigation by the Prosecutor's Office. "I ask the President of the Republic to apologize to the IPS insured, considering that he allowed the carnival to continue," Franco insisted. "He kept a team during all this time when scandalous acts of corruption occurred to the detriment of IPS insured and patients."

Franco further argued that Peña lacks the moral standing to demand apologies, citing his administration's "lamentable management." He noted that even Peña's own party members are reportedly looking for a new presidential candidate, signaling a lack of confidence in his leadership. "The Colorados are already looking for who will be the new captain of the ship before the internal elections for the municipalities even begin," the legislator said, interpreting this as an acknowledgment of the government's failure.