Party unity eyed after virtual win in Asunción mayoral race

Camilo Pérez has emerged as the virtual winner of the internal municipal elections for the National Republican Association (ANR) in Asunción, a victory that is already reshaping the political landscape. Raúl Latorre, president of the Chamber of Deputies and the ruling party's campaign chief in the capital, hailed Pérez's win as a consolidation of the official candidate for the October municipal elections.

Pérez defeated former mayor Arnaldo Samaniego, representing the "Fuerza y Causa Republicana" movement. Latorre expressed optimism about party unity, at least in the capital, noting that initial contacts have been made to secure the traditional "republican embrace" – a symbol of party reconciliation.

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We started this List 1 in the best way, with transparency and confidence in the results that the citizens chose.

Latorre praised the behavior of the opposing factions, stating that their swift approach to the winner demonstrates a path toward unified general elections. He highlighted the Colorado Party's demonstrated ability to resolve internal differences through voting and unite afterward. "We started this List 1 in the best way, with transparency and confidence in the results that the citizens chose," Latorre said. "We had a very good gesture from the circumstantial adversaries, who have already spoken with our candidate and virtual winner, Camilo Pérez."

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We had a very good gesture from the circumstantial adversaries, who have already spoken with our candidate and virtual winner, Camilo Pérez.

The deputy emphasized that the movement's doors are open to all sectors wishing to join the project, asserting that the unity of the grassroots will be fundamental to retaining control of the capital in the 2026 elections. Latorre admitted that the vote count exceeded the expectations of the "Honor Colorado" team, attributing the triumph to the candidate's management and the intensive work of the grassroots.

"I believed in this project from day one when his name was put forward, even though some didn't have much faith in him at the beginning. We left everything on the field," Latorre reflected. He concluded by stating that the capital's grassroots valued Pérez's previous management and understood that the same work model is needed to change Asunción's reality.

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I believed in this project from day one when his name was put forward, even though some didn't have much faith in him at the beginning. We left everything on the field.