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🇵🇾 Paraguay /Elections & Politics

Paraguay Senator Accused of Influence Peddling for Itaipú Contracts

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Senator Javier Zacarías Irún is accused of using his influence to promise contracts at the Itaipú binational entity in exchange for political loyalty, revealed in a leaked audio.
  • The reaction from Senate leadership, including the President and the cartista bloc leader, has been to normalize the alleged influence peddling, deeming it common political practice.
  • Critics argue that public officials are servants of the people, not managers of a political fiefdom, and that using state institutions for personal or party gain constitutes influence peddling.

A leaked audio recording has exposed Senator Javier Zacarías Irún of Paraguay's ANR party allegedly promising contracts at the Itaipú binational entity in exchange for political loyalty. In the recording, Zacarías Irún tells an operator, Osvaldo Sánchez, "In a second, I will resolve it for you," while his brother, Justo Zacarías Irún, was leading the binational entity.

In a second, I will resolve it for you.

— Javier Zacarías IrúnAllegedly promising a contract at Itaipú in exchange for political loyalty.

Instead of condemning the act, key political figures have seemingly normalized it. Senate President Basilio "Bachi" Núñez stated that "all legislators make these kinds of arrangements" and that the favored operative had received benefits in the previous government, implying it is standard practice rather than a crime. Senator Natalicio Chase, leader of the cartista bloc, echoed this sentiment, calling such requests "logical" and part of the daily routine of Paraguayan politics.

This normalization has drawn sharp criticism, with commentators reminding officials that their positions are public service roles, not positions to manage a family business or a political fiefdom. Their salaries, power, and investiture are derived from the trust and taxes of all Paraguayans, not just party loyalists seeking favors.

all legislators make these kinds of arrangements

— Basilio “Bachi” NúñezJustifying the senator's alleged actions as common practice among lawmakers.

Critics argue that when institutions like Itaipú are treated as spoils to be distributed among political operators, it constitutes blatant influence peddling. This practice, when extended to ministries, governorships, or any public office, is seen as even more egregious, potentially leaving essential services understaffed or mismanaged due to political appointments rather than merit.

it is logical that they ask for the best positions in Itaipú

— Natalicio ChaseNormalizing the practice of political operatives seeking positions in state entities.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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