Valenzuela Mayor Refuses to Resign Amid Embezzlement Trial and Council Candidacy

Valenzuela Mayor Mirtha Fernández clings to her mayoral post despite facing serious corruption charges and running for municipal councilor. She is violating electoral law by remaining in office, as Paraguayan law requires administrators seeking elected positions to resign at least three months before elections.

Fernández, who is running as the number one councilor candidate for the Liberal Party, should have stepped down by July 4 for the October 4 municipal elections. However, she remains at the helm of the Valenzuela Municipality, seeking to install her brother, Manuel Fernández, as the next mayor while she transitions to a council role.

The embattled mayor has a long history in office, serving from 2010 to 2026, with her current term extended due to a judicial measure. During her tenure, municipal councilors uncovered administrative irregularities, including the creation of shell companies that were paid for nonexistent public works. The Public Ministry investigated these claims, identifying an alleged patrimonial damage of G.1.199 million in 2019, for which she is now on trial. She also faces charges of breach of trust for an alleged G.300 million damage from 2022.