Paraguayan movement denounces Peña's 'cowardly' and 'corrupt' stance after Lula's remarks

A Paraguayan political movement has sharply criticized President Santiago Peña's government for its "cowardly" and "corrupt" inaction following controversial remarks by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The group, Tetãgua Sapucai, led by former legislators Carlos Duarte Torres and Enrique González Quintana, accused Peña of prioritizing personal gain over national interests.

Lula da Silva had used the War of the Triple Alliance to justify his country's arms race. The Paraguayan Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a weak statement only after several days and significant political pressure. Tetãgua Sapucai condemned this "lack of patriotism," stating it reveals that the government values personal financial benefits more than the nation.

The movement further alleged that the government's timidity stems from a fear of losing personal benefits. They also pointed to domestic crises, including widespread unemployment, a failing public health system with medicine shortages, and alleged mismanagement of social security funds, which they claim were used to capitalize banks, particularly Banco Ueno, with which they link the president.

Additionally, Tetãgua Sapucai criticized the "Hambre Cero" (Zero Hunger) program for not reaching remote schools and highlighted a "total lack of security," citing the murder of a child named Roselín. They also accused the government of a "total lack of seriousness" regarding public debt management.