Paraguay Senate chief alleges opposition plot to legitimize unqualified audit candidates

Paraguay's Senate president, Basilio “Bachi” Núñez, has accused the opposition of attempting to legitimize unqualified candidates for the positions of auditor general and deputy auditor general. Núñez, a senator from the ruling Colorado Party (ANR), stated that the opposition's call to boycott the vote if the ANR proposes party members for these roles is an attempt to avoid accountability for past failures.

Núñez pointed to recent history, claiming that three of the last five auditors general proposed by the opposition faced serious criminal charges and convictions. He cited examples such as Daniel Fretes Ventre (PLRA), who was convicted for money laundering, Óscar Rubén Velázquez Gadea (UNACE/PLRA) for breach of trust, and José Enrique García Ávalos (Tercer Espacio) for producing false documents. Núñez argued that these cases eroded the credibility of the Comptroller General's Office.

However, opposition senator Eduardo Nakayama had previously warned that the Colorado Party intended to appoint two party members to the audit positions. Nakayama suggested that the opposition should boycott the process to avoid legitimizing such a move. Núñez countered this by stating that the goal is not to "take over" the institution but to select "competent" individuals for serious oversight and to restore trust.

Critics, however, note that the current Colorado-backed Comptroller General, Camilo Benítez Almada, has faced scrutiny, including allegations of facilitating the clearance of President Santiago Peña's unexplained wealth. The debate highlights deep political divisions over the appointment of officials to key oversight bodies in Paraguay.

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Hoy necesitamos romper ese ciclo: un proceso de selección transparente, meritocrático y basado en trayectoria técnica, no en color político ni pactos. No se trata de ‘copar’ la institución, sino de elegir a los mejores para fiscalizar con seriedad y recuperar la confianza ci