Paraguay's President Peña holds public meeting with Supreme Court chief after secret talks controversy

Paraguayan President Santiago Peña met publicly with Supreme Court President Alberto Martínez Simón to discuss strengthening the National Unified Registry (RUN). This marks their first public bilateral meeting since Peña took office, though they have attended formal events together. The encounter occurs seven months after a secret meeting between Peña and six Supreme Court ministers, reportedly with Horacio Cartes present, which sparked national controversy.

That December meeting is alleged by critics to have orchestrated Martínez Simón's presidency of the court, the preservation of judicial strongholds, and other favorable outcomes. The secret gathering reportedly excluded certain court ministers, fueling accusations that the judiciary is subservient to the executive branch and the ruling Colorado Party. Peña's administration initially attempted to deny Cartes's presence, though it remains a point of contention.

Following the December meeting, several judicial decisions have drawn scrutiny. The Supreme Court rejected an appeal by Kattya González against her expulsion from the Senate. The Judicial Ethics Tribunal cleared the ministers involved in the secret meeting of any wrongdoing. President Peña also enacted a law restoring judicial patronage positions to court ministers, and Martínez Simón was subsequently elected president of the judiciary. Additionally, a prominent opposition presidential candidate, Arnoldo Wiens, faced an indictment. Critics view these events as direct consequences of the secret meeting, further cementing concerns about judicial independence.