Sports Executive Camilo Pérez Clinches Asunción Mayoral Nomination

Camilo Pérez, a prominent sports executive, has secured the Colorado Party's nomination for the mayoral race in Asunción, Paraguay's capital. He decisively won the party's internal elections, garnering over 81,000 votes from affiliated members, a mandate that positions him as the official candidate for the October municipal elections.

Pérez, who belongs to the Honor Colorado movement, achieved a significant victory, securing 61.34% of the vote. This win decisively ousted former mayor Arnaldo Samaniego, representing the dissident Fuerza y Causa Republicana movement. Pérez's political ascent is notably backed by the party's president, Horacio Cartes, and his campaign was managed by the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Raúl Latorre.

His political platform is largely built upon his extensive experience in sports administration. Pérez has presided over the Paraguayan Olympic Committee (COP) since 2011 and was instrumental in the successful organization of the 2022 South American Games (Odesur) in Asunción. This success in managing major sporting events served as his primary credential for his electoral bid.

To fully commit to his political career, Pérez resigned from his position as president of the South American Sports Organization (ODESUR) in April. He also holds a significant role as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) since 2018, contributing to the oversight of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. In the private sector, he is known as a businessman and president of the non-profit Fundación Paraguay Puede.

Notably, Pérez financed his campaign with G. 2.5 billion from his own funds, presenting himself as an outsider who aims to bring change to the capital. He will face Soledad Núñez, the unified opposition's candidate, in the upcoming municipal elections.