Paraguay raises maximum prison sentence for minors to 10 years

Paraguay's President Santiago Peña has signed a law that raises the maximum prison sentence for minors to 10 years, a significant increase from the previous 8-year limit. The new legislation, Law N° 7683, specifically modifies Article 207 of the Children and Adolescents Code.

The impetus for this tougher stance on juvenile crime stems from the horrific murder of 17-year-old María Fernanda Benítez in May 2025. The teenager, who was pregnant at the time, was allegedly killed by a minor, possibly with family complicity, and her body was subsequently burned. This brutal crime has deeply impacted the nation and spurred calls for stricter penalties.

The legislative process involved considerable debate, particularly in the Senate, which initially proposed an even higher maximum sentence of 15 years. However, the Chamber of Deputies ultimately settled on 10 years, passing the bill with 43 votes. This compromise reflects a desire to address public concern while establishing a firm but defined upper limit for juvenile incarceration.

The law allows for a maximum sentence of 10 years in exceptionally grave cases, requiring a detailed judicial justification. This justification must consider the severity of the crime, the adolescent's personal circumstances, and expert reports on their family and social situation. The aim is to balance punishment with the principles of education, protection, and social reintegration, with annual reviews mandated to monitor the adolescent's progress.

“

The imposition of this measure must be based on a duly motivated resolution, in which the gravity and modality of the act, the degree of the adolescent's participation, the existence of prior offenses, as well as interdisciplinary technical reports on their personal, family, and social situation are concretely assessed.