Paraguay's Colorado Party: Key leaders skip candidate event amid lingering tensions

Paraguay's Colorado Party held a significant presentation of candidates for the 2028 municipal elections, an event where speculation had been rife about a potential "republican embrace" between party president Horacio Cartes and former president Mario Abdo Benítez. However, official statements from the party indicate that such a reconciliation will not occur at this event, with both leaders declining invitations.

Cartes, the current president of the National Republican Association (ANR), had extended invitations to Abdo Benítez, the leader of the dissident Colorado Añeteté faction, and Hugo Velázquez, the head of Fuerza Republicana. Both Abdo Benítez and Velázquez courteously declined the invitations, citing personal reasons and prior commitments, according to a brief statement from the ANR via its X account. The event was scheduled to take place at the Conmebol Convention Center in Luque.

This absence underscores the persistent divisions within the Colorado Party. Despite a recent, albeit tense, "embrace" between Abdo and current President Santiago Peña at an event commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States' independence, the underlying rifts remain. References from within the party, such as Colorado ally deputy Hugo Meza, had spoken of a "fever of hugs" and "hatchets being semi-buried," but the no-shows at this key event suggest otherwise.

Further highlighting the ongoing friction, Miguel Del Puerto, the leader of the Honor Colorado bloc in the Chamber of Deputies, acknowledged that Abdo has not been forgiven for what they perceive as "persecution" against Cartes. This refers to the U.S. government's designation of Cartes as "significantly corrupt," a decision that has since been lifted. The presentation of candidates is therefore expected to proceed with a clear "cartista" tone, as other prominent figures from Añeteté and Fuerza Republicana, including Abdo's preferred presidential candidate for 2028, Arnoldo Wiens, are also not anticipated to attend. Wiens has previously expressed reluctance to "associate with corrupt individuals."

Abdista deputy Daniel Centurión attempted to explain the absences, stating that he had spoken with Abdo, who was traveling, and that Wiens' decision was his own. However, the lack of participation from these key figures suggests that the Colorado Party's internal unity remains fragile, despite efforts to project an image of solidarity.