Paraguay candidate promises giant saint statue amid pothole complaints

In San Antonio, Paraguay, incumbent mayor Santiago Aguilera has pledged to erect a towering 30-meter statue of the patron saint if reelected, a proposal he announced on social media as a way to "make history." This ambitious project, intended to draw visitors, also includes plans to remodel the central plaza.

However, the candidate's promises stand in stark contrast to the daily realities faced by residents. The district is plagued by widespread complaints regarding potholes, poorly maintained roads, and neglected sidewalks. A key avenue, Pa'i Américo Ferreira, which connects San Antonio to the main highway, is reportedly impassable.

These infrastructure issues are compounded by past administrative scrutiny. A year prior, the Comptroller General's Office identified numerous irregularities in the municipality's management during the 2021, 2022, and 2023 fiscal periods. Aguilera, who recently resigned to seek reelection, was in charge during the latter two periods.