Leader rejects extortion accusation, questions minister's management

Elías Cabral, leader of the National Coordinator of the Elderly and Family, has refuted claims of extortion made by Paraguay's Ministry of Social Development. The ministry alleged that the issuance of identification cards to universal pension beneficiaries constituted fraud and illicit charges.

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Our organization does issue cards to associates because it has autonomy. Organizations have their own autonomy to carry out these acts administratively. We issue this to identify ourselves in the struggle.

Cabral defended his organization's right to issue these identification cards, asserting that social organizations possess autonomy in administrative matters. He explained that the cards are used to identify members in their advocacy efforts. "Our organization does issue cards to associates because it has autonomy. Organizations have their own autonomy to carry out these acts administratively. We issue this to identify ourselves in the struggle," Cabral stated. He further emphasized the legality of the practice, noting that "there is no prohibition in the law, and everything that the law does not prohibit is permitted."

Addressing allegations of charging seniors for these documents, Cabral firmly denied any financial demands. "We don't charge a single guaraní. How do we manage this? We do it through the private sector, people who collaborate with us so we can have identification," he explained, calling the accusation "an invention by Minister Tadeo Rojas to try to confuse public opinion."

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there is no prohibition in the law, and everything that the law does not prohibit is permitted.

Beyond refuting the extortion claims, Cabral seized the opportunity to criticize Minister Tadeo Rojas for alleged inaction. He accused the minister of failing to implement laws that benefit the elderly, including provisions for reduced public transport fares and free access to sporting events. Cabral stressed that the minister should have ensured these benefits were facilitated through proper identification, which his organization is now providing independently. "He should have made these identification cards, so that businessmen could quickly identify them as elderly and charge them fifty percent of the fare, as the law says. They have to enter football stadiums for free, the law says. The minister does not manage this," Cabral criticized.

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We don't charge a single guaraní. How do we manage this? We do it through the private sector, people who collaborate with us so we can have identification.

Cabral concluded by reaffirming his organization's commitment to continue issuing identification cards to its members, viewing them as essential tools for their advocacy. "We will not back down, we will continue making the cards, because it is an identification in the struggle and that is not prohibited," he declared.

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an invention by Minister Tadeo Rojas to try to confuse public opinion.