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Paraguay's National Police detained three men suspected of robbing two gas stations in Limpio. The main accused, Jorge Daniel Samudio, known as 'Freddy Mercurie', had a prior record for theft. The group was captured in the same vehicle used in the crimes, with a weapon and ammunition.
limpioJorge Daniel Samudio, known as 'Freddie Mercury', was detained along with two other men, including a retired non-commissioned officer of the Armed Forces, suspected of robbing two gas stations in Limpio, Central Department. Police seized a vehicle, a pistol, and ammunition.
limpioParaguay's Public Ministry filed a formal accusation against former prosecutor Egidia Victoria Gómez Denis, for allegedly receiving bribes and delaying investigations to benefit a drug trafficker arrested with 1.3 kg of cocaine.
villa-elisaThe angiography equipment at the IPS Central Hospital is out of service, delaying urgent catheterizations and prompting complaints from family members who fear preventable deaths. The social security institute has not informed when the system will be repaired.
ipshospital-centralA protest poster was installed in Asunción calling for the removal of Social Security Institute (IPS) councilor José Emilio Argaña after he requested paid leave from June 8 to 22, a period that coincides with the World Cup. The action occurs amid criticism over the state of public health and the use of the agency's resources.
ipsjose-emilio-arganaThe Government of Alto Paraná awaits the closure of the Regional Penitentiary of Ciudad del Este to build a new National Police headquarters on the site, addressing complaints from residents of the Boquerón neighborhood about security and contamination.
alto-paranaboqueronThe National Police arrested Hugo Enrique González Almada, 36, and recovered a sprayer, an air rifle, a flashlight and a fishing net stolen from Wilson Javier Peralta González in Mayor Otaño. The suspect had two outstanding arrest warrants.
A Hyundai I10 caught fire on Monday night in the General Bernardino Caballero neighborhood of Encarnación. Volunteer firefighters controlled the flames and no one was injured. The owner, Diana Silvero, attributed the fire to a mechanical defect.
encarnacionhyundai-i10Lawyers filed a complaint with the Public Prosecutor's Office against former IPS president Jorge Brítez and eight other former members of the Board of Directors for alleged irregularities in five tenders totaling more than G. 391 billion.
ipsjorge-britezJoaõ Morel, 47, was shot about 47 times in the María Victoria neighborhood of Pedro Juan Caballero. He was taken to a hospital in Punta Porã but did not survive. The suspects fled in a gray Toyota Allion.
pedro-juan-caballerojoao-moreltoyota-allionDeolinda Torres de Dick, 67, died on Monday night, May 18, on Route PY19 in Villeta after falling from the motorcycle where she was riding as a passenger and being run over by a truck. The motorcycle driver, Evelin Catalina Pérez Núñez, 20, and the truck driver, Luis Ángel Candia Giménez, 24, were unharmed. Breathalyzer tests for both drivers came back negative. The truck driver was placed in pretrial detention on suspicion of negligent homicide.
villetamotoAuthorities from the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare (MSPBS) and the Social Security Institute (IPS) met to strengthen inter-institutional cooperation and expand access to health services, with successful examples in Itapúa and Ayolas. The meeting also addressed challenges such as the shortage of specialized professionals and the need to plan new hospitals under a complementary model.
ipsmspbsitapuaAssociations of retirees from the Social Security Institute (IPS) announced they will request the resignation of board members José Emilio Argaña and José Jara Rojas, while expressing support for the institution's president, Isaías Fretes.
ipsisaias-fretesjose-arganajose-jara-rojasSecurity cameras captured two suspects stealing electrical cables at the main beach resort of Carmen del Paraná, leaving Playa Pirayú partially without lighting. The local municipality filed a complaint and the National Police are investigating the case, which reignites concerns about tourist safety and the recurrence of wire theft in the region.
carmen-del-paranaplaya-pirayuitapuaA Brazilian mechanic was shot dead on Monday (18) in the María Victoria neighborhood of Pedro Juan Caballero, Amambay Department. The forensic report confirmed that the victim sustained 10 bullet impacts, fired from a 5.56 mm rifle and a 9 mm pistol. The case is under investigation by the Public Prosecutor's Office and the National Police.
pedro-juan-caballeroamambayThe Municipal Police Surveillance Directorate forwarded 2,602 infraction reports to the Misdemeanor Courts, aiming to combat vector breeding sites and trash accumulation. The measure seeks to reduce diseases such as dengue and chikungunya.
denguechikungunyaTwo armed young men invaded the Islamic Center of San Diego, the largest mosque in the county, and opened fire on worshippers. Local police shot the attackers, but three civilians died. The attack prompted increased security at mosques in New York.
shootingsan-diegocaliforniamosqueislamic-centerpolice-responseLawyers Juan José Bernis and María Muñoz filed a criminal complaint against the former president of the Institute of Social Welfare (IPS), Jorge Brítez, and other former directors, for alleged irregularities in five tenders totaling G. 391,574,472,965. The action was filed with the Public Prosecutor's Office and points to breach of trust and misappropriation of public funds.
ipsjorge-britezThe Specialized Environmental Crimes Prosecutor's Office of Villarrica is investigating alleged irregularities in drainage works on a rural property in the San Agustín community, Paso Yobái district, which may have caused damage to a protected wetland. The action was prompted by complaints from residents and indicates that the work may have exceeded the environmental license granted by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (Mades).
paso-yobaimadesA 31-year-old woman was the victim of a violent aggravated robbery in the rural area of Concepción, where two armed men intercepted her, took her hostage, and stole more than Gs. 107 million in cash, checks, and belongings. The National Police is investigating the case.
distribuidora-san-jorgeA delegation from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was in Pilar, capital of Ñeembucú, for an international security cooperation agenda, which included visits to historical sites in the region and meetings with local and police authorities.
fbineembucupilarParaguay's Public Ministry on Monday requested a 6-year prison sentence for former sports executive Ramón González Daher, accused of lying under oath in 2021 during a defamation lawsuit filed by Conmebol president Alejandro Domínguez. The defense claims the defendant invented a voluntary resignation from the vice presidency of the Paraguayan Football Association (APF), but official documents show he was removed for failing a fitness exam.
ramon-gonzalez-daherconmebolapfOf the nearly 9,800 people serving house arrest in Paraguay, only 123 use electronic ankle monitors, according to official data. The government admits that most lack effective monitoring and plans to expand the system.
rafael-candiaenrique-rieraProsecutor Andrea Vera requested on Monday (18) the conviction of former sports executive Ramón González Daher to 6 years in prison for perjury during the closing arguments of the trial. González Daher, who is already serving a 15-year sentence for aggravated usury, money laundering, and false accusation, is accused of lying about the reasons for his departure from the Paraguayan Football Association (APF) in testimony given in 2021.
ramon-gonzalez-daherapfCésar Adrián Medina, 31, was arrested by the National Police in downtown Asunción after a report of theft of car emblems. Four Toyota logos and two table knives, allegedly used to remove the accessories, were found with him. Police are investigating the origin of the objects and possible receiving of stolen goods.
cesar-adrian-medinaArnaldo Andrés Lezcano Ramírez, 20, was detained by the National Police after punching referee Jorge Junior Villalba Ortíez in the face, causing a cheekbone fracture. The assault occurred at the end of a match of the Liga Caaguazú de Futebol, at the Club 8 de Diciembre field in the Santa Isabel neighborhood. The player attempted to flee but was captured a few blocks away and remains at the disposal of the Public Prosecutor's Office.
caaguazufutebolThe current president of the Social Security Institute (IPS), Isaías Fretes, and the Auditor General of the Executive Branch, Alberto Cabrera, said that the previous administration, headed by Jorge Brítez, implemented only 2 of 100 audit recommendations, classifying internal control as 'failed'.
ipsjorge-britezisaias-fretesParaguay's Social Security Institute (IPS) activated a contingency plan due to shortages and transferred the definition of the formulary to doctors, after finding that only 200 medications (45% of the total) consume 95% of available resources. The measure seeks efficiency and elimination of unnecessary supplies.
ipsThe National Police of Paraguay arrested Daniel Pereira Medina, 31, as the fifth suspect in the homicide of German citizen Olga Brodkorb, which occurred on April 26, 2026, in the Planchada community, Paso Yobái, Guairá department. The arrest was carried out this Monday (18) by agents of the Guairá Regional Crime Investigation Department, under the order of prosecutor Rocío Raquel Rivas. With this capture, the number of detainees in the case rises to five, including Juan Alberto Rodas García, Eleno Fonseca, Venancio Trinidad González, and Darío Aguilar Saucedo. The investigation indicates that the group, described as amateur criminals, allegedly planned a robbery at the victim's residence, but the plan went wrong when Brodkorb unexpectedly returned, resulting in a fatal confrontation. The victim was killed with a gunshot to the head. After the crime, the suspects fled with the victim's car, a white 2023 Chevrolet Onix Joy, which was found incinerated on a rural road near Arroyo Morotí. During previous searches, police seized more than 17 million guaranis in cash, a .22 caliber rifle, cell phones, motorcycles, and clothing. Authorities do not rule out further arrests.
paso-yobaiguairaolga-brodkorbThe president of IPS, Isaías Fretes, announced a complete audit of the social security institution's properties, aiming to identify the actual number of real estate assets, who rents them and for how much, with the goal of increasing transparency and combating possible irregularities.
ipsIPS President Isaías Fretes announced the exclusion of 817 obsolete surgical supplies from the vademecum, but the National Association of IPS Insured expresses distrust and demands criminal investigations into past purchases, in addition to declaring a state of health emergency.
ipsvademecumThe Public Ministry of Paraguay requested information from the National Police on the investigation into the disappearance of Pabla Beatriz Pereira Jara, 16, which occurred in the early hours of May 16 in the Tacumbú neighborhood of Asunción.
Paraguay's Attorney General Emiliano Rolón created two new specialized cybercrime units and assigned prosecutors Lorenzo Lezcano and Federico Delfino to them, amid controversies over Lezcano's conduct, who is the subject of a preliminary investigation by the Jury for the Prosecution of Magistrates for alleged ties to the late congressman Eulalio Gomes.
emiliano-rolonlorenzo-lezcanofederico-delfinoParaguay's Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security (MTESS) issued Resolution No. 462/2026, regulating the mandatory adoption of Labor Information Books in digital format, with gradual implementation between August 17 and 28, 2026. The measure aims to modernize labor records, strengthen legal certainty, and promote formal employment, with fines of 10 to 30 minimum wages for employers who fail to comply.
mtessA 38-year-old lawyer will face trial for allegedly installing a GPS device on his ex-wife's car and hidden cameras at her residence. Prosecutor Irma Llano warned that such actions represent dangerous control that can escalate to extreme violence, including femicides, and lamented the low penalties for digital privacy violation crimes.
gpsA survey by the InSight Crime foundation shows that Paraguay is no longer the central corridor for drug trafficking it was three years ago. With stricter controls and inter-institutional surveillance, cocaine seizures fell from 5.4 tons in 2024 to about 1 ton in 2025, consolidating the country as a hostile environment for criminal logistics.
cocainedrug-traffickinginsight-crimeliquid-cocaineThe Departmental Directorate of the National Police in Itapúa sent 30 agents from the Special Operations Group (GEO) from Asunción to reinforce bank security in the northeastern region of the department, following a thwarted robbery attempt on Friday, May 15, in Capitán Meza. The preventive action comes after intelligence indicated a possible attack on a bank branch during the extended Independence and Mother's Day holiday.
itapuacapitan-mezaParaguay's Public Prosecutor's Office has filed three new complaints against magistrates, civil servants, and lawyers for alleged participation in the so-called 'promissory note mafia,' a scheme that between 2022 and 2024 allegedly benefited collection companies with fraudulent express garnishments.
The Trial Court has set June 3 as the start of the oral trial of Alexandre Rodríguez Gomes, son of the late deputy Eulalio Lalo Gomes, accused of international drug trafficking, money laundering, and criminal association. The prosecution alleges that the Gomes clan moved G. 175.526 million between 2015 and 2021 and laundered money for drug trafficker Jarvis Chimenes Pavão.
lalo-gomesclan-gomesA man, apparently Brazilian, was shot in San Pedro in an alleged sicariato attack. The victim, who worked as a panel beater, was taken to the Regional Hospital and underwent surgery; his health condition is unknown.
sicariatosan-pedrohospital-regionalSeven siblings, aged 3 to 17, were rescued after repeated reports of abandonment by their mother in Concepción. They are under the care of their paternal grandmother, who reports a lack of clothes, shoes, beds, and mattresses, as well as the sale of the children's belongings by the mother. None of the minors have identity documents.
concepcioncodeniAttorney General Emiliano Rolón signed this Monday (18) a series of resolutions that profoundly alter the operational structure of the Public Ministry, with changes in leadership of anti-corruption, money laundering, cybercrime, and regional units.
emiliano-rolonThe Tripartite Command, a division of the National Police of Paraguay that integrates security forces from Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina, completed 30 years of operations in the Triple Frontier. In a ceremony in Ciudad del Este, authorities highlighted cooperation in combating transnational crime, and the presidency was transferred from Paraguay to Argentina.
Criminal judge José Agustín Delmás stated that family violence is the most frequent crime in Paraguay's judicial system, followed by aggravated theft and alimony. On average, five to six cases of each type are registered per month.
jose-agustin-delmasAppeals Court confirms rejection of former senator Erico Galeano's appeal, sentenced to 13 years for money laundering and criminal association. With the decision, the Sentencing Court may schedule a hearing to decide on preventive detention.
erico-galeanoThe Director of Information and Communication Technologies of the TSJE, Fausto von Streber, explained in an interview that the voting machines are 'unhackable' due to mechanisms such as RFID chip, Faraday cage, and jammer, which prevent external interference.
tsjechip-rfidfausto-von-streberThe Sentencing Tribunal was recused by the defense of one of the accused, and the new trial is suspended until a decision by the Court of Appeals. The victim's father criticizes the delay and announces a protest.
maria-fernanda-benitezcoronel-oviedoLawyer Solange Guerreño, representing the attorney accused of installing GPS and cameras in his ex-partner's vehicle and home, denies the allegations and questions the impartiality of prosecutor Irma Llano from the Paraguayan Public Ministry.
gpsAmid questions about the electronic voting system, the Superior Electoral Justice Court (TSJE) detailed the security mechanisms of RFID chips in ballots, including encryption and validation, to prevent fraud in the June 7 internal party elections.
tsjechip-rfidThe Social Security Institute (IPS) of Paraguay announced a comprehensive inspection of its properties and medication stock, after the General Audit of the Executive Branch found that the previous management, led by Jorge Brítez, complied with only 2.5% of the recommendations issued. The new president, Isaías Fretes, promised to correct irregularities and cut 817 items from the formulary.
ipsjorge-britezisaias-fretesThe National Police of Paraguay identified Gustavo Rubén Goncalvez Vera, 31, as the main suspect in the double homicide that occurred on May 16 in Colônia Paraná, district of Cambyretá, department of Itapúa. The victims are Francisco Alcides Saucedo Quiñónez, 28, and Brian Ariel Lugo, 24. After searches in Encarnación, the suspect was not located, but police seized cocaine, weapons, and ammunition at his residence.
cambyretaitapuaThe National Police conducted two operations in Ciudad del Este on Monday (18). A man was detained on suspicion of child sexual abuse, with cell phones and documents seized. Another suspect, aged 33, was arrested for theft from a pharmacy, allegedly taking more than G. 5 million; he is said to have been released from prison a month ago.
ciudad-del-esteThe Public Prosecutor's Office investigation found no evidence of sexual abuse against the 7-year-old boy killed by his mother in Lambaré, who later committed suicide. The complaint made by the woman on social media was not corroborated by exams or testimonies, and the owner of the boarding house where the tragedy occurred stated that the mother had mental health issues and had been admitted to a psychiatric center.
lambareA large fire destroyed two commercial establishments at the Limpio Municipal Market in the Central Department on Sunday afternoon. Six fire companies prevented the flames from spreading, but the lack of hydrants on site forced the use of water tanker trucks, reviving long-standing complaints from merchants about precarious electrical installations and difficult access to water.
The Specialized Court for Organized Crime has set June 3, 2026, as the start date for the oral trial of Alexandre Rodrigues Gomes, accused of international drug trafficking, money laundering, and criminal association. The defendant was arrested in August 2024, on the same day his father, Congressman Eulalio “Lalo” Gomes, died in a confrontation with police during simultaneous operations.
alexandre-rodrigues-gomespavo-real-py-iiThe president of the Social Security Institute (IPS), Isaías Fretes, announced an asset audit to map the agency's more than 800 properties. Preliminary estimates indicate that the IPS receives only 20% of the amount due in rents, generating huge losses. The investigation, coordinated by Minister Alberto Cabrera, will also cover the control of medicines and supplies.
ipsisaias-fretesalberto-cabreraOperation Omega, a coordinated action among nine countries, resulted in the arrest of a lawyer in Santa Rita, Alto Paraná, suspected of being part of an international network for the sale and distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) that used cryptocurrencies for transactions. Prosecutor Ruth Karina Benítez led the execution of a search and seizure warrant, which seized electronic equipment, documents, and digital storage devices. Investigations are underway to determine whether the scheme also involved local production of the material and money laundering.
alto-paranaThe Social Security Institute (IPS) launched a contingency plan to address the chronic shortage of medical supplies, promoting changes in the purchasing system and transferring the responsibility for defining the vademecum from the administrative sector to the doctors.
ipsvademecumParaguay's Social Security Institute (IPS) announced the exclusion of 817 medications and supplies from its vademecum as part of a broad administrative and financial review. The measure aims to eliminate obsolete or unproven products, while the institution faces reports of shortages and irregularities in purchases and property management. IPS President Isaías Fretes and Executive Branch Auditor General Alberto Cabrera lead the audit covering rental contracts, properties, and inventories.
ipsA 19-year-old woman reported being assaulted in the neck by a 44-year-old man after refusing a hug at a soccer field in the 4th neighborhood of General Artigas. The suspect, Gustavo Brítez Benítez, turned himself in to police and was detained.
general-artigasitapuaAuto parts theft in Paraguay has evolved from a crime of opportunity into a structured illicit industry, moving millions per day. The made-to-order request model fuels the black market, with parts openly sold on social media. In Asunción, up to 250 thefts are recorded daily, and impunity is high, with detainees released in less than 24 hours.
Alfredo Dionisio Benítez, 20, was caught red-handed during a preventive patrol on Sunday afternoon in downtown Encarnación, carrying a backpack containing 761 grams of marijuana. The drug was field-tested and the suspect, with no prior record, is at the disposal of the Public Prosecutor's Office.
encarnacionA woman killed her 7-year-old son and then committed suicide in Lambaré, leaving a letter attributing the act to alleged sexual abuse by the father. The Public Prosecutor's Office reported that the complaint was never confirmed: a medical examination found no injuries and the child was unable to recount the facts.
lambareThreats of school shootings in Paraguay, driven by viral challenges on social media, reveal a lack of family oversight and mobilize the Ministry of Education, Police, and Public Prosecutor's Office to strengthen security and prevention protocols.
mecCriminal judge José Agustín Delmás stated that Paraguay's prison legislation, dating from 1970, is completely outdated and does not meet the needs of social reintegration of convicts. He highlighted the creation of execution judges as progress, but warned that the system still operates under a "totally outdated" law.
jose-agustin-delmasParaguay's Appeals Court is set to rule on an appeal that could lead to the pretrial detention of former Senator Erico Galeano, sentenced to 13 years for money laundering and criminal association. The defense is trying to avoid imprisonment, while the Public Prosecutor's Office is requesting immediate detention.
erico-galeanoAgents of the Lince Group arrested two youths in Luque on Saturday night after a stop in which they found a high-fidelity replica firearm and a motorcycle without documentation. Police are investigating a possible connection to robberies in the Maka’i region.
luqueThe Public Prosecutor's Office clarified that there is no confirmation that the 7-year-old boy, found dead alongside his mother in Lambaré, was a victim of sexual abuse, as alleged by the mother in a complaint filed in December 2024. A medical examination ruled out physical injuries and signs of sexual violence, and the child did not attend scheduled psychological interviews.
lambareThe president of the Superior Electoral Justice Tribunal (TSJE), Jorge Bogarín, stated that criticism of electronic voting is part of a campaign to discredit the institution. Less than a month before the simultaneous party primaries on June 7, the TSJE defended the system's security but acknowledged failures in communication with the public.
tsjejorge-bogarinA joint operation by the 5th Metropolitan Police Station and the Tourist Security Department in the Ricardo Brugada neighborhood, known as La Chacarita, in Asunción, resulted in the arrest of Josías Daniel Aranda Santacruz, 20, wanted for aggravated theft. Additionally, six people were detained for identity verification and two motorcycles were seized.
la-chacaritaA large fire consumed a commercial establishment at Limpio Market, Central Department, on the afternoon of May 18. Volunteer firefighters controlled the flames and there were no injuries, only material damage. The cause of the fire remains unknown.
limpioA red macaw (gua'a pytã) was rescued by volunteer firefighters in Concepción on Sunday night. The bird is under protection at the fire station, awaiting a decision from the environmental prosecutor.
concepcionParaguay's Ministry of Justice confirmed this Sunday (17) the successful conclusion of Operation Umbral 2.5, which transferred women deprived of liberty to the Emboscada prison. The operation proceeded without altercations, with security protocols and respect for human rights. A press conference is scheduled for Monday to detail the results.
emboscadaThe Paraguayan Medical Circle (CPM) warns that the disorderly increase in medical schools, with over 45,000 students in the country, overwhelms the services of the Social Security Institute (IPS), causing overcrowding and compromising the quality of care for beneficiaries. The union demands an urgent review of university agreements.
ipsOn Saturday, May 17, two homicides were recorded in Cambyretá, Itapúa. A 28-year-old man was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head on a rural road, and another charred body was discovered inside a burned vehicle. Investigations are ongoing.
cambyretaitapuafrancisco-saucedoRonny Arnaldo García González, 19, was arrested in a wooded area behind Padre Kreusser School in the San Pedro neighborhood after being identified by security cameras and social media. With him, police found food, footwear, and a portable radio, allegedly stolen in different incidents. The court ordered his detention while investigations continue.
encarnacionronny-garciaTwo violent robberies were recorded over the weekend in the Department of Alto Paraná. In Juan León Mallorquín, a motel employee was held up by two armed men; in Ciudad del Este, five criminals invaded a residence and stole electronics and cash. Police seized ammunition at the scene of the second crime.
alto-paranaciudad-del-estejuan-leon-mallorquinA large fire hit the Limpio Municipal Market on the afternoon of Sunday, May 17, 2026, destroying two commercial halls and mobilizing volunteer firefighters and the National Police. There were no casualties, but material damage is significant. The probable cause, according to initial reports, is an electrical fault, still under investigation.
limpioPresident Santiago Peña refused to comment on the departure of former Colorado senators Erico Galeano and Hernán Rivas, both involved in serious judicial scandals, as the government tries to contain political damage. At an event in Presidente Hayes, Peña preferred to address the controversy over the military parade and the critical situation of the Social Security Institute (IPS).
santiago-penaerico-galeanohernan-rivasipsParaguay's Ministry of Justice concluded Operation Umbral 2.5 this Sunday (17), transferring 361 women deprived of liberty from six penitentiaries to the Penitentiary Complex for Women Deprived of Liberty (COMPLE) in Emboscada. The operation, supported by the National Police and the Armed Forces, proceeded without incidents, following security protocols and respect for human rights. A press conference is scheduled for Monday (18) to detail the action.
comple-emboscadaFiscal agents and security forces seized 760 kilograms of marijuana from a vehicle during an operation in Mayor Otaño, Itapúa department.
mayor-otanoitapuaA 32-year-old woman was arrested in Capiatá after a police operation that resulted in assaults and the seizure of crack, a precision scale, and other items. The detainee was placed at the disposal of the courts, and the evidence was sent for forensic analysis.
capiatacrackA preventive patrol by the 19th Police Station in Mayor Otaño, in the early hours of Sunday, triggered a chase and shooting that resulted in the death of one man, the arrest of another, and the seizure of two vehicles carrying a load of marijuana. The incident occurred in the Parejha colony.
mayor-otanoalto-paranaThe National Police of Paraguay and the Public Prosecutor's Office are conducting operations in Encarnación and Cambyretá to capture Gustavo Rubén Goncalvez Vera, the main suspect in the double homicide of Francisco Alcides Saucedo Quiñónez and Brian Ariel Lugo. During the raids, weapons, ammunition, drugs, and vehicles were seized, including a car reported stolen in Argentina. Investigations point to a possible connection with drug trafficking.
cambyretaitapuaFélix Leonor Quiñónez Herrera was sentenced to 11 years in prison for attempted homicide that occurred in May 2022 in Pedro Juan Caballero, after shooting at a driver who, in retaliation, ran him over. The unanimous sentence was handed down by a Sentencing Court, based on documentary and testimonial evidence presented by the Public Prosecutor's Office.
pedro-juan-caballerokatia-uemurafelix-leonor-quinonez-herreraA man was seriously injured during an attempted robbery at a grocery store in San Antonio, Paraguay. The victim, who lost a large amount of blood, is hospitalized at the Trauma Hospital and needs blood donors. Security cameras recorded part of the incident, and police are investigating the case.
san-antoniohospital-de-traumaA pursuit by Brazil's Military Highway Police that began in Ponta Porã ended in Paraguay's Amambay department, leaving one woman dead and a man detained after their vehicle crashed into a pool.
pedro-juan-caballeroponta-poraA 28-year-old man was discovered dead inside a fully incinerated car in Cambyretá, Itapúa, with a bullet wound to the head. Authorities are investigating the case as a homicide.
cambyretaitapuafrancisco-saucedoIn the early hours of Sunday, Paraguay's Ministry of Justice executed Operation Umbral 2.5, transferring 109 women deprived of liberty from the Juana María de Lara Women's Penitentiary Center in Ciudad del Este to the Emboscada Women's Penitentiary Complex (COMPLE). The action, which lasted just over an hour, involved a strong security scheme and is part of the reorganization of the prison system, which also includes the relocation of pregnant women and mothers with young children to the Serafina Dávalos Penitentiary Center in Coronel Oviedo.
ciudad-del-esteemboscadaOver the weekend, the National Police of Paraguay transferred women deprived of liberty from six mixed-gender penitentiaries to the Emboscada Women's Prison Complex as part of Operation 'Umbral 2.5'. The transfer occurred without incidents, with support from the Armed Forces and police escort in stages. The Ministry of Justice has not yet disclosed the exact number of detainees transferred.
emboscadaA 42-year-old woman was detained in Ypané after allegedly assaulting her husband and two young daughters, spreading gasoline inside the house, and threatening to set it on fire. Police intervened after neighbors called 911.
ypaneCristian Martín Peralta Peralta, alias Pachigua, was recaptured by the National Police in the Obrero neighborhood of Asunción, after having escaped from the General Hospital of Luque on May 12. The alleged drug trafficker was under the custody of prison officer Héctor Raúl Rojas Rolón, who was arrested and charged. The recapture occurred without resistance.
hospital-de-luqueA 26-year-old woman killed her 7-year-old son and hanged herself in a boarding house in Lambaré. In a letter published on Instagram, she accused her ex-partner of sexually abusing the child since age 3 and stated that the complaint filed with the police and the Public Prosecutor's Office was never investigated. The case is under the responsibility of prosecutor Nora Cubilla.
lambareinstagramParaguay's Ministry of Justice has launched Operation Umbral 2.5, transferring female inmates to the Emboscada Women's Penitentiary Complex (Comple), in a coordinated action with CODENA and other security forces. The operation takes place under strict security measures and aims to reorganize the national prison system.
A police operation targeting suspected drug trafficking in Mayor Otaño led to a chase, a shootout, the death of one suspect, the arrest of another, and the seizure of two vehicles loaded with marijuana.
mayor-otanoIn the early hours of this Sunday, 56 women deprived of liberty were transferred from the Regional Penitentiary of Misiones to the Emboscada Penitentiary Complex as part of the security operation "Umbral." The action, coordinated by the Police and Armed Forces, occurred without incidents.
mirtha-beatriz-ramosJudge Marcos Giménez, of the Criminal Guarantees Court of the Third Shift of Curuguaty, ordered the pretrial detention of José Domingo Duré, arrested in Yasy Cañy on charges of invasion of another's property, criminal association, violation of the Weapons Law, and attempted intentional homicide.
yasy-canycuruguatyPolice and the Public Prosecutor's Office are investigating the appearance of a corpse on a dirt road in Colônia Paraná, district of Cambyretá, Itapúa. The victim, still unidentified, was wearing a Club Olimpia t-shirt and had an injury to the orbital region.
cambyretaitapuagiovanna-veraA Toyota Auris was found ablaze on Saturday afternoon in Barrero Guazú, a district of Cambyretá, Itapúa. Inside the vehicle, firefighters found a completely charred body. The victim's identity has not yet been confirmed.
cambyretaitapuaBetween April 2025 and April 2026, the Social Security Institute (IPS) expanded its protected population by 63,456 people, totaling 1,666,595 insured individuals. Asunción, Central, and Alto Paraná concentrate more than 80% of the insured, reflecting the formalization of employment in the country's main economic hubs.
ipsAuthorities are investigating the discovery of a charred body inside a burned-out car in Cambyretá, Itapúa. The vehicle, a 2006 Toyota Auris, was found engulfed in flames on a local road on Saturday afternoon. The identity of the victim and the cause of the fire remain unknown.
cambyretaitapuaBolivia's Ombudsman's Office reported 47 detained and 5 injured after a joint police and military operation to unblock highways in the La Paz department. Clashes between protesters and security forces left injured, including assaulted journalists. The Bolivian Workers' Center and the Federation of Peasants of La Paz demand the resignation of President Luis Arce.
boliviala-pazA 42-year-old woman was arrested in Ypané, Central Department, after assaulting her husband and two daughters and attempting to set the residence on fire. She was intoxicated and threatened suicide. Police referred her to the Public Prosecutor's Office.
ypaneLiz Mabel Benítez Báez, 23, was detained in Villarrica after a chase that included shots fired at the vehicle where she was with her three-month-old daughter. Inside the car and on her body, more than 48 grams of split cocaine were found.
villarricaIn the early hours of Saturday (16), an armed group invaded a residence in Katueté, Canindeyú, held a family hostage, and stole cash, in addition to carrying out forced bank transfers. No one was seriously injured, and police are searching for the suspects.
katuetecanindeyuUruguayan Gianina García Troche, partner of drug trafficker Sebastián Marset, was heard for the second time by the Paraguayan Public Ministry on May 12 at the Emboscada women's prison. The interrogation was conducted by prosecutor Deny Yoon Pak and takes place on the eve of the deadline for the conclusion of the investigation, which expires on May 20.
gianina-garcia-trochesebastian-marsetoperativo-a-ultranza-paraguayemboscadaCriminals intercepted a tanker truck on route PY10 in Tebicuary and stole 27 thousand liters of vegetable oil. The driver was tied up and the cargo, which was traveling from Caaguazú to Villeta, was taken. The National Police are investigating the case as aggravated robbery.
tebicuaryguairaA sworn declaration submitted to the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic shows that the assets of Jorge Brítez, former president of the Social Security Institute (IPS), increased by more than G. 682 million during his term, ending with 19 properties and a net worth exceeding G. 32.5 billion.
ipsjorge-britezThe Ministry of Childhood and Adolescence (MINNA) and the National Police are intensifying prevention campaigns against child sexual abuse, with emphasis on family education, the school environment, and online safety. The new strategy includes educational guides, stricter penalties, and a proposal to regulate children's access to the internet.
minnaA man with a prior record allegedly stole tools and a battery from a Ypané home early Friday, then returned hours later. Recognized by the victim, he fled into a private residence where residents subdued him until police arrived.
ypaneburglaryarrestUruguayan Gianina García Troche, charged with money laundering in the framework of Operation A Ultranza, gave her second investigative statement on May 12, just days before the deadline for the Public Prosecutor's Office to present its conclusive request. The proceeding was carried out at the Emboscada prison by prosecutor Deny Yoon Pak, who investigates the alleged creation of companies to conceal drug trafficking funds obtained by her partner, Sebastián Marset.
a-ultranzagianina-garciadeny-yoon-paksebastian-marsetgianina-garcia-trocheA chase initiated by the Brazilian Military Highway Police ended tragically in Pedro Juan Caballero, Paraguay, when a fleeing vehicle rolled over and fell into a swimming pool, killing a woman who was a passenger.
pedro-juan-caballeroponta-poraThe president of the Social Security Institute (IPS), Isaías Fretes, reported that laundry workers at the hospital must manually transport water due to a supply interruption caused by unfinished work by a contracted company. Additionally, two of the five industrial washing machines have been broken for three years.
ipsisaias-fretesA report by the Public Prosecutor's Office Observatory, based on 9,792 complaints registered in Asunción between 2024 and 2025, reveals that 80% of family violence victims are women. Most attacks occur in homes, with emphasis on physical and psychological-verbal violence, and the main aggressors are intimate partners.
Tatiana Marset, sister of drug trafficker Sebastián Marset, was hospitalized in Santa Cruz for suspected pancreatitis but diagnosed with hepatitis A and returned to Palmasola prison.
tatiana-marsetsebastian-marsetboliviaPolice in Amambay suspect a child was used to slip through a broken window and steal 22,000 Brazilian reais (about $4,000) from a Real supermarket in Bella Vista Norte. The cash was left overnight for supplier payments. Investigators are reviewing security footage.
bella-vista-norteamambayOn Mother's Day, Paraguay's Public Ministry released data showing that 80% of domestic violence victims are women, with most attacks occurring in homes and perpetrated by partners or ex-partners.
domestic-violencewomenpublic-ministrystatisticsmothers-dayA 31-year-old man with a criminal record and under house arrest was found dead in the patio of his home in Presidente Franco. Authorities are investigating the homicide, which occurred in the Santa Librada settlement.
presidente-francosilvino-gayosoThe city of Pedro Juan Caballero, in the department of Amambay, was the scene of three notable events in May 2026: a fire that destroyed the home of an 85-year-old woman, the death of the city's oldest woman at age 110, and the shooting murder of a Brazilian mechanic, in a case treated as possible contract killing.
pedro-juan-caballeroamambayA large tractor-trailer caught fire on Route 086 in Canindeyú, Paraguay, on Thursday afternoon due to an apparent electrical short circuit. The driver escaped uninjured, and bystanders helped contain the blaze before it reached the trailer.
canindeyuscaniaFrancisco Colmán Acosta, 23, was found dead with a stab wound in the Uj'e Lhavos indigenous community in Filadelfia. Police arrested Esteban Ariel Insfrán Cambista, 24, who is held at the Loma Plata police station pending investigation.
filadelfiauj-e-lhavosA police operation in Ypejhú, Canindeyú, led to the arrest of Saúl Casco Garrido and the seizure of 222 kg of meat, a car, a rifle, and machetes in an abigeato case. The suspect claimed ownership of the abandoned vehicle and said relatives fled. The investigation continues.
abigeatocanindeyuypejhuDeputy Daniel Centurión (ANR-Añeteté) has proposed eliminating the entire Administrative Council of the Social Security Institute (IPS), calling it a corrupt and patronage-ridden body. He advocates strengthening oversight agencies instead.
ipsdaniel-centurionRicardo Torres Peña, a resident of Mariano Roque Alonso, Paraguay, faced a criminal complaint from Mayor Carolina Aranda after demanding municipal transparency. After three years, he was acquitted and now seeks 850 million guaraníes in damages for alleged persecution.
mariano-roque-alonsoA man known as alias 'Ruso' was detained by police in Encarnación after security cameras captured him entering a home to commit a robbery. Officers recovered cash and other items. The suspect has a prior record for homicide and aggravated robbery, according to C9N.
encarnacionc9nA woman and a man were arrested after breaking into a vehicle in downtown Asunción. The woman was trapped inside the car while the man fled but was later caught. Both have prior records.
Police in Asunción apprehended a man and woman suspected of breaking into a parked vehicle, with the woman found inside and the man acting as a lookout.
asuncionThe Association of Oncological Patients of the Social Security Institute (Apodips) has formally requested that IPS President Dr. Isaías Ricardo Fretes declare an institutional health emergency, citing severe shortages of medicines, long waiting lists, and systemic failures. The call comes as Paraguay's Chamber of Deputies has given preliminary approval to a bill for a broader emergency declaration at the institute.
ipsfretesapodipsA woman in Ciudad del Este filed a complaint against her son for alleged family violence, reporting that he demanded money and became violent when refused, damaging property and assaulting her.
denunciaOrlando Villa, 45, was shot dead by two men on a motorcycle outside a bar in Capitán Giménez, Horqueta, on Thursday. Police are investigating.
horquetaconcepcionAuthorities in Luque have recovered a stolen vehicle, according to C9N. The case remains under investigation to identify and locate the perpetrators.
luqueA delivery truck was intercepted by motorcyclists near Ñu Guasu, Paraguay, with thieves stealing only expensive packages. Police suspect the boxes were pre-marked, indicating possible inside information.
nu-guasuAuthorities in Encarnación have stepped up patrols and controls during the holiday period following complaints of harassment by individuals posing as vendors and people with addiction issues, aiming to protect tourists and maintain the city's image.
encarnacionA man with a criminal record was arrested after trying to break into a pharmacy in Ciudad del Este, allegedly to steal tirzepatida, according to C9N.
tirzepatidaA solidarity marathon and festival, dubbed 'Itauguá de Pie: Todos por el Mercado,' will take place on Saturday, May 16, to assist over 400 merchants whose stalls were destroyed in a fire at the Itauguá Municipal Market. The event, supported by the municipality and other institutions, includes a donation drive from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the market parking lot, followed by an artistic festival at the Club Social Itaugüeño until midnight. Donations can also be made via a bank account.
itauguamercadofestivalParaguay's Supreme Court unanimously rejected a preventive habeas corpus filed by former senator Erico Galeano, who faces a 13-year prison sentence. The ruling clears the way for potential pretrial detention, while Galeano denies ties to drug trafficker Sebastián Marset and criticizes President Santiago Peña.
santiago-penaerico-galeanosupreme-courtLawyer and former electoral judge Jorge Rolón Luna harshly criticized the Paraguayan justice system, calling it 'incorrigible' after Aldo Cantero was included in a shortlist for a criminal court judge position in Asunción. Rolón Luna, who has previously denounced criminal structures within the judiciary, pointed to Cantero’s career and a domestic violence complaint against him as reasons for concern.
Paraguay’s Independence Day military parade on Thursday will showcase five US-donated Safe Boat patrol boats and four Brazilian Super Tucano aircraft, among other equipment. The parade will feature a reduced contingent of 3,000 troops due to security operations against the EPP, according to Defense Minister Óscar González.
super-tucanomilitary-paradeFormer Paraguayan deputy and ex-president of the Magistrates' Impeachment Jury (JEM), Orlando Arévalo, suspended his scheduled testimony before prosecutor Eugenio Ocampos in a fraud investigation involving G. 130 million. His defense requested the case file, and a new date will be set.
orlando-arevaloEmiliano Rolón, Paraguay's attorney general, told lawmakers that his CV erroneously listed him as coordinator of Universidad Sudamericana due to a transcription and printing mistake. He acknowledged teaching there in 2013 but denied any directorial role.
emiliano-rolonuniversidad-sudamericanahernan-rivasParaguayan businesswoman Dalia López, accused of involvement in the fake passport scheme that led to Ronaldinho's 2020 arrest, has been granted house arrest by Judge Francisco Acevedo. She will wear an electronic ankle monitor and posted a $1.67 million property bond.
dalia-lopezronaldinhoThe hearing to decide preventive detention for former senator Erico Galeano, convicted of money laundering and criminal association, was suspended after his defense filed a repossession appeal and a habeas corpus petition. The prosecution argues that Galeano lost parliamentary immunity upon resigning, but the court must first rule on the defense's motions.
erico-galeanoa-ultranza-pyCarlos Miguel Viveros Cabral, a precandidate for councilor in Asunción, has filed a cassation appeal with the Supreme Court's Criminal Chamber, seeking to overturn an appellate ruling that upheld his conviction for a contractual dispute. The defense argues due process violations and improper criminalization of a civil matter.
carlos-viveros-cabralSenator Erico Galeano resigned hours before an extraordinary session to expel him, after his 13-year sentence for money laundering and criminal association was upheld on appeal.
erico-galeano