Paraguay - August 2025
Paraguay introduces reforms to the political campaign financing system
On 11 August, Paraguay’s lower chamber of Congress approved a bill aimed at modernizing the political campaign financing system. The reform seeks to enhance transparency and address operational challenges in managing electoral funds. Key measures include digitizing declarations of campaign income, expenditures and related economic interests, with mandatory publication on the Superior Court of Electoral Justice (TSJE) website. The bill also introduces stricter penalties for candidates submitting false financial statements and designates the National Tax Directorate (DNIT) as the primary authority for tax and financial oversight. The bill was signed into law by the executive on 18 August.
Sources: Honorable Cámara de Diputados, El Nacional, Gaceta Oficial de la República de Paraguay
Former president under investigation for corruption
On 5 August, Paraguay’s Attorney General’s Office announced it had requested reports from the Secretariat for the Prevention of Money or Asset Laundering (Seprelad) as part of an investigation into former President Mario Abdo Benítez (2018-2023) over alleged offshore accounts. The probe followed Attorney General Emiliano Rolón’s statement on 23 July, confirming an inquiry into claims that Abdo Benítez and his wife concealed over USD 20 million in undeclared bank accounts in the Seychelles. The allegations first surfaced on 20 July in local media, prompting Abdo Benítez to publicly deny them on 21 July. He dismissed the reports as ’false information’ and as politically motivated probe intended to damage his reputation.
Sources: El Litoral, Seychelles Independent News Agency, Merco Press
Rule of Law
(0)
