Paraguay's 'crystal president' avoids criticism, says hopeful Wiens

Paraguayan presidential candidate Arnoldo Wiens has sharply criticized the current administration, labeling President Mario Abdo Benítez a "crystal president" who reacts poorly to criticism. Wiens, speaking during a campaign tour in the Misiones department, asserted that a leader should not fear critique, as it helps correct a government's course. He argued that the president is responsible for the people's needs but instead focuses on personal priorities and becomes angered by valid concerns.

Wiens, representing the Añetete movement within the National Republican Association (ANR), urged supporters to back his faction in the upcoming internal elections on June 7. He aims to secure the party's nomination for the presidency. If elected, Wiens pledged to prioritize working with agricultural producers and to return the management of school feeding programs to local municipalities. He also proposed that farmers could directly supply food to educational institutions.

Furthermore, Wiens addressed critical issues within the healthcare system, promising to strengthen it and combat the persistent lack of medicines and medical professionals in public hospitals. He also touched upon the challenges facing the Institute of Social Security (IPS), noting the need to ensure the availability of medications, doctors, and timely appointments for studies and surgeries, while also reducing long patient queues. Wiens also expressed concern about the IPS's financial stability.

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We have a president of the Republic who focuses on his personal priority, he is called a crystal president. Everything is fine on the outside, but inside it's a disaster, he doesn't attend to the needs, if he is criticized, he gets angry and demands apologies because he is criticized for the things that are wrong. A president should not be afraid of criticism, criticism should help correct the course of a government. He is responsible for the needs of the people.