Museum's invaluable Chaco War collection contrasts with sole employee's 20 months of unpaid wages

The "Casa de La Victoria" museum in Encarnación, Paraguay, preserves over 150 invaluable artifacts from the Chaco War. However, its sole employee, guide Doris Cabrera, has gone 20 months without pay, totaling a debt of G. 50 million (approximately $6,800 USD).

Cabrera continues to work despite the severe financial hardship. The museum is managed by the Association of Veterans of the Chaco, which previously received a G. 3 million monthly municipal contribution under an agreement. This funding covered Cabrera's G. 2.5 million monthly salary and administrative costs.

The municipal contribution ceased, leaving Cabrera unpaid. The Association of Veterans, which no longer has living members in the department and operates on a voluntary basis, relies on this municipal support. The Encarnación Municipality handles the property's maintenance and cleaning.

Lilio Sotelo, president of the veterans' association, stated they are in talks to renew the agreement, aiming to secure continued municipal contributions and address the back pay. He expressed confusion over the abrupt halt in funding, noting that no reason was provided.

Federico Úbeda, Director of Cabinet for the Municipality, explained that audits by the General Comptroller's Office in 2022-2023 required municipalities to cease disbursements to civil organizations lacking specific compliance. This led to the suspension of contributions to various groups, including the veterans' association. Úbeda added that the municipality proposed Cabrera sign a direct contract, but she refused, fearing a loss of her 30-year seniority with the association. He suggested that the administration of the museum's collection might need to be reconsidered by governmental cultural institutions.