Paraguayan President Marks One Year In Office Amid Protests
Protests in Asuncion, Paraguay. Photo: EFE
August 16, 2024 Hour: 7:58 am
Former President Horacio Cartes continues to influence government decisions, citizens said.
On Thursday, progressive political and social organizations marched to protest the inefficient management of President Santiago Peña, who has completed one year in office.
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Paraguayans expressed their dissatisfaction with a government that has continued the conservative direction of the previous government led by the Colorado Party, worsening the overall situation in the country due to Peña’s lack of political autonomy.
For about 70 years, the Colorado Party has controlled political power in this South American country, where former President Horacio Cartes continues to influence government decisions. “Peña is simply following Cartes’ orders,” said the protesters.
After a year in office, Peña has failed to address the chronic lack of public infrastructure for education and health. One of his flagship initiatives, the “Zero Hunger” program, has been unsuccessful in its goal of universalizing school nutrition. Instead, there have been scandals involving the poor quality of food delivered to public schools.
The right-wing president Peña has also not promoted agrarian reform, a policy mandated by the Paraguayan Constitution to address income inequality in the nation.
The economic situation has not significantly improved for lower-income social groups, as unemployment has risen, and 63 percent of the economically active population works in the informal sector.
As a result, progressive social and political organizations called on citizens to express their discontent in the streets and public spaces. This should motivate progressive political and social actors to participate politically in seeking an alternative to the Colorado Party government and to take to the streets in protest.
teleSUR/ JF Source: teleSUR
