Mayor spent G. 2 billion on parties, activists allege

Anti-corruption activists in Mariano Roque Alonso, Paraguay, have accused outgoing mayor Carolina Aranda of allegedly spending nearly G. 2,000 million (approximately $270,000 USD) on public celebrations and parties over the past seven years. The funds, they claim, were drawn from municipal coffers, Itaipú Binacional, and the governor's office.

Ricardo Torres, an anti-corruption activist, stated that from 2017 to 2025, the municipality under Aranda's leadership spent G. 1,987 million on "parties or celebrations" for the city's anniversary on August 30. He criticized the continued allocation of significant funds to festivities while the city faces severe infrastructure issues, particularly its roads.

Torres further alleged that these celebrations were managed by an NGO called the "Organizing Commission for Social and Cultural Events," headed by Melania Bogado, a political operative linked to the outgoing mayor. Activists reportedly sought public information and expense receipts for a G. 550 million celebration in 2025 but received no response from the municipality. Access to this financial information was reportedly only possible through the Comptroller General's Republic.

Despite the city's deteriorating condition, large musical groups are scheduled to perform for the upcoming 91st-anniversary celebrations. Torres, who is part of a citizen group monitoring public spending, claims to have faced intimidation and a lawsuit from the mayor in retaliation for his denunciations. He has since filed a lawsuit against the municipality seeking substantial compensation.