Paraguayan lawyer criticizes Supreme Court's 'political calculation' in Rivas case
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Paraguayan lawyer Carlos César Trapani criticized the Supreme Court of Justice's handling of political conflicts, citing the recent ruling against former senator Hernán David Rivas as evidence of extreme political calculation.
- Trapani argued that while the executive and legislative branches have shown some progress, the judiciary remains the most deficient, failing to arbitrate political conflicts and often validating abuses by other branches.
- The lawyer suggested the Court's decision in the Rivas case, though potentially correct, reveals a self-serving political logic within the judicial system.
Carlos César Trapani, a prominent legal figure in Paraguay, has voiced strong criticism regarding the Supreme Court of Justice's role in the nation's political landscape. In comments published by ABC Color, Trapani pointed to the recent ruling against former senator Hernán David Rivas as a stark example of what he perceives as the judiciary's "extreme political calculation."
Trapani's analysis highlights a perceived imbalance in the Paraguayan state, where he acknowledges some institutional progress in the executive and legislative branches, such as economic order and legislative checks on power. However, he unequivocally labels the judicial power as the "most deficient," asserting that the Supreme Court has failed to effectively mediate political disputes and has, through its actions or inactions, often enabled abuses by other branches of government to serve the interests of the ruling party.
La Corte no supo arbitrar los conflictos políticos haciendo cumplir las reglas de juego
The lawyer's critique extends to the timing and nature of judicial decisions, suggesting that while the ruling in the Rivas case might be legally sound, it exposes a self-serving political expediency within the justice system. This perspective, shared by many citizens who observe a pattern of politically motivated judicial actions, underscores a deep-seated concern about the independence and impartiality of Paraguay's highest court. The case of Hernán Rivas, involving allegations of falsified legal qualifications, has become a focal point for these broader concerns about institutional integrity.
La reciente decisión en el caso de Hernán Rivas, mirando al Poder Judicial desde fuera, desde el punto de vista institucional, más allá de la corrección interna del fallo, que bien podría aplaudirse, da cuenta del extremo cálculo político (autointeresado) con el que se mueve la justicia
Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.