Líder Amarilla urges Peña to organise a global horse race

Paraguayan Senator Líder Amarilla sharply criticised President Santiago Peña’s government in the Senate, calling Paraguay a “failed state” because of medicine shortages, insecurity and deteriorating roads.

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Today, with full responsibility, I can say that Santiago Peña’s government is a failed state.

He said the government focused too heavily on sports and entertainment while serious problems affected citizens. Amarilla also questioned public spending and the selection of officials responsible for monitoring state expenditure.

He then shifted to irony, asking Peña to organise a global horse race in line with the government’s recent promotion of major sporting events, including the World Rally. Amarilla said an international horse-racing event could attract visitors from Brazil, Thailand, the United States, Mexico, Argentina and Uruguay.

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I ask the president of the Republic, who has recently become an organiser of sporting events.

He compared the proposed event with the $11 million he said had been allocated to the rally, suggesting horse racing could be organised for about $1.1 million and still attract thousands of people and generate economic activity.

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From the Senate, I ask you to organise a horse-racing event for us.