Portillo Clan's Influence Wanes as Laura Folle Wins Liberal Primaries in Ciudad del Este

Laura Folle secured a decisive victory in the liberal primaries in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay, signaling a significant political shift away from the long-standing Portillo clan. Folle, running on List 9, defeated María Portillo, a current councilwoman and former interim mayor, who represented List 3. This outcome, according to Julio Landaida, the president-elect of Committee No. 1, reflects a weariness among party affiliates with a leadership perceived to have prioritized family interests over the party's.

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The result reflects the weariness of the affiliates with a leadership that, in my opinion, prioritized family interests over party interests.

Folle garnered 3,868 votes, or 53.09%, while Portillo received 3,184 votes, or 43.70%. Notably, the movement backing Folle won in nine out of ten liberal committees in Ciudad del Este, including Committee No. 1, historically a stronghold of the Portillo family. Landaida highlighted that most committee presidents had supported a potential alliance with the "Yo Creo" party, led by Mayor Miguel Prieto. However, he stated the Portillo clan opposed this strategy, favoring a coalition with Cruzada Nacional instead.

"It has now been demonstrated that the correct path was the alliance with 'Yo Creo'. We respect the will of the committee presidents and the affiliates," Landaida remarked. He believes Folle's victory paves the way for a broader electoral coalition for the 2026 municipal elections, emphasizing a strong PLRA-"Yo Creo" alliance backed by the majority of committee presidents.

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It has now been demonstrated that the correct path was the alliance with 'Yo Creo'. We respect the will of the committee presidents and the affiliates.

In a separate development, Cristian Galeano garnered nearly 2,000 votes, surpassing Carlos Portillo, who received 1,647 votes. This result places Portillo in second place on the PLRA list and suggests a decline in his political influence, potentially jeopardizing his re-election bid as councilman in the upcoming municipal elections on October 4. Landaida concluded that these numbers confirm a loss of political leadership and support for the sector that has dominated liberalism in the capital for years, urging them to reflect on their strategies.

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It is demonstrated that they are losing leadership and support. They must reflect and analyze the positions they have taken.