Ex-Paraguay Speaker Gets 5 Years for Illegal Wealth

Miguel Cuevas, former House Speaker in Paraguay, was sentenced to five years in jail on Friday for unlawful enrichment.

Cuevas is a member of the ruling Colorado Party. The court also banned him from any public roles for five years.

He must give up assets worth about $276,000.

Though he faced a 10-year jail request, Cuevas was found not guilty of lying in his financial statements.

Judge Elsa García stated the decision was unanimous among the judges. The court rejected the defense’s proof to explain his income.

Cuevas will also lose four land properties and 726 cows.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office said Cuevas had a big money gap between 2009 and 2019. They said he couldn’t explain why his spending was more than his income.

The gap was around 814,000 US dollars.

He was also accused of hiding his true earnings. The court didn’t find enough proof to say he was guilty. This could lead to an appeal from the prosecutor.

Background

Miguel Cuevas is not the first public figure in Paraguay to face legal issues. The country has struggled with political corruption for years.

In 2012, President Fernando Lugo was ousted in a controversial impeachment. Some saw the move as a political coup.

Paraguay ranks 137 out of 180 countries in the Corruption Perceptions Index for 2020.

Cuevas belongs to the Colorado Party, which has been in power for over six decades. It has faced multiple corruption charges.

Some members have been convicted, while others have been acquitted. The party still holds strong voter support.

Public distrust in the government is high. Many citizens are calling for more transparency. They want stricter rules on public service roles.

Legal actions like the Cuevas case might signal a change. Still, more steps are needed to address corruption fully. The upcoming elections may serve as a tipping point.

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