Nicanor ratifies criticism of Peña: 'He surrounds himself with characters who boast virtue and efficiency'

Former Paraguayan President Nicanor Duarte Frutos has once again voiced strong criticism against the administration of President Santiago Peña, focusing his ire on the government's economic policies and the perceived lack of authenticity among its ranks. Duarte Frutos, a prominent figure within the Colorado Party, insists on the necessity of "telling the truth" among political colleagues, a principle he feels is being neglected by Peña's government.

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Between political colleagues, we have to tell each other the truth. If we truly share a common project and want a better future for our people. And we are not there to take advantage of power or our position in the state hierarchy. We have to tell each other the truth. If we don't tell each other the truth, the Palace becomes, the cabinet, a tournament of masks. One never shows their face. And perhaps if the mask falls, they immediately put on another mask. So, he who does not tell the truth plays with hypocrisy and is defending his personal interests.

His remarks, which have stirred internal debate within the ruling Honor Colorado movement, target individuals like Óscar Orué, head of the National Directorate of Taxation, whom Duarte Frutos has publicly denounced as incompetent. The former president argues that a government that fails to confront uncomfortable truths risks becoming a "tournament of masks," where personal interests overshadow the collective welfare of the Paraguayan people.

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pride is the eve of the fall.

Duarte Frutos, who maintains a close relationship with former President Horacio Cartes, has distanced himself from the current administration's inner circle. He asserts that his criticisms stem from a genuine desire to see the country prosper and that he is not seeking personal gain or political subordination. His outspokenness reflects a faction within the Colorado Party that prioritizes ideological purity and direct communication, even if it means challenging the established leadership. This internal dynamic is crucial for understanding the political landscape in Paraguay, where party loyalty and public discourse are often intertwined.

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I am not going to be functional to some characters who are there every day boasting virtue and efficiency.