Paraguay: Provisional liberty granted to five in G. 61 billion IPS embezzlement case

Paraguay's judicial system has granted provisional liberty to five individuals implicated in an alleged G. 61 billion (approximately $8.5 million USD) embezzlement scheme from the Social Security Institute (IPS). The accused face charges of dereliction of duty related to the failed construction of operating rooms at the Central Hospital.

Among those granted provisional liberty is Jorge Magno Britez Acosta, 70, the former president of IPS. He, along with Hugo Enrique Aranda, Juan Manuel Villar López, and José Raúl Coronel Acosta, have surrendered to the court. Specialized Economic Crimes Court Judge Rodrigo Estigarribia ordered their provisional release, lifting previous arrest warrants.

These five individuals are now subject to the judicial process. Britez, specifically, was required to post a G. 1 billion (approximately $140,000 USD) real bond as a condition for his provisional liberty, a measure secured by his defense.

However, four other individuals remain under arrest warrants. These include former IPS presidents Vicente Mario Battaglia Araujo, who is reportedly in Italy but has announced his return to Paraguay to face charges, along with Jaime Joel Caballero Ruiz Díaz, Marcelo Bordón Leiva, and Verónica Alexandra Blanco Bogado. The prosecution is awaiting their surrender to proceed with the legal proceedings.