The President-elect of Paraguay, Santiago Peña, has announced that retired General Óscar González will serve as the country’s next Defense Minister.
Peña has also designated Enrique Riera as Interior Minister, Juan Carlos Baruja as Housing Minister, Ángel Barchinni as Justice Minister, and Rubén Ramírez Lezcano as Foreign Affairs Minister.
In response to his appointment, González expressed his “honor and gratitude,” emphasizing his awareness of the “enormous commitment” his new role entails.
Peña praised González as a “great expert” of the military forces.
In turn, the appointed minister stated that he plans to develop a forward-looking defense policy, leveraging the country’s “strategic position” to ensure the protection of national interests.
González previously served as the Army Commander during the Horacio Cartes administration (2013-2018), the Chief of the Military Cabinet of the National Defense Ministry, and the Chief of the Presidential Guard Regiment’s Staff, among other positions. The incoming officials will assume their duties on August 15.
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