Paraguayan Cardinal Warns of Organized Crime, 'Social Baches' Ahead of Municipal Elections

Weeks before Paraguay's municipal elections on October 4, the nation's first Cardinal, Adalberto Martínez Flores, delivered a powerful homily in Asunción, offering a stark assessment of social decay, electoral clientelism, and structural state failures.

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It will be time to exercise a responsible, free, and conscious vote. Not to vote solely out of friendship, convenience, or personal benefit, but to discern the honesty, capacity, trajectory, and true willingness of candidates to serve the good of the district.

During a Mass in the Loma Pytá neighborhood, Cardinal Martínez shifted from traditional spiritual reflections to a direct critique of the national political landscape. He contrasted the pursuit of the common good with the "logic of selfishness, ambition, abuse of power, and personal interest" that he sees dominating politics. He warned that state omissions create openings for "oppressive dictatorships."

With municipal elections for mayors and council members just over a month away, Martínez urged citizens to cast a "responsible, free, and conscious vote." He specifically targeted historical clientelism and patronage in local campaigns, emphasizing that electoral decisions should not be based on individual convenience. "It will be time to exercise a responsible, free, and conscious vote. Not to vote solely out of friendship, convenience, or personal benefit, but to discern the honesty, capacity, trajectory, and true willingness of candidates to serve the good of the district," he stated.

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state omissions create openings for 'oppressive dictatorships'

The Cardinal also challenged candidates, arguing that their proposals cannot be limited to promises of basic infrastructure. He called for comprehensive management projects that address deeper societal issues, using the analogy of "social potholes" alongside the literal ones in the streets. He recognized the importance of repairing roads and cleaning public spaces but cautioned that focusing solely on these aspects reflects a shortsighted view of governance.

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social potholes