PARAGUAY · POLITICS
Key Facts
- —What is happening On Wednesday, 21 October, parent groups marched through Asunción and gave the Senate a citizen bill, with about 50,000 signatures, that would punish gender content aimed at children with 4 to 10 years in prison.
- —Why it matters Paraguay is a close US security partner and its ruling Colorado Party holds a congressional majority, so a bill the Senate president says he backs has a real path, though critics call the wording broad.
- —The numbers The bill adds Article 135c to the Penal Code with 4 to 10 years in prison, 10 to 15 years for officials, and 15 to 20 years if an official approved the material.
- —Who is who Backers include Miguel Ortigoza, head of a parent federation, and Senator Gustavo Leite of the Colorado Party, while about 50 civil groups reject the bill and the Archdiocese of Asunción keeps its distance.
- —What to watch Whether Senate committees take up the bill and how they treat its broad wording, since no debate date has been announced and the proposal is not law.
- —Power Index Paraguay ranks 10th of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index, with 36.0 points (October 2026 edition).
- —What it means for you For US readers, the bill tests a close Washington partner on speech, schooling and LGBT expression, but nothing changes for visitors today because it is only a proposal.
Parent groups gave Paraguay’s Senate a citizen bill on 21 October that would jail adults for gender content aimed at children. Critics say its wording is broad.
A Paraguay gender bill reached the Senate on Wednesday, 21 October, with about 50,000 signatures behind it. It would punish adults who spread content altering a child’s view of sexuality with 4 to 10 years in prison.
Paraguay is a close US security partner, and its ruling Colorado Party holds a majority in Congress. Senate president Basilio Núñez took the document in person and pledged his support, Última Hora reported.
What the Paraguay Gender Bill Would Change
The initiative amends Article 135 of the Penal Code, which covers sexual abuse of children. It adds Article 135c, titled abuse in other forms, in the text ABC Color published.
The draft covers material or acts that could interfere with, alter or damage a child’s natural perception of sexuality. Anyone who makes, sells, promotes or publishes such material would face 4 to 10 years in prison.
Officials and elected authorities would face 10 to 15 years, said lawyer Dannia Ríos, one of the drafters, to Última Hora. If an official authorised or approved such material, the term would rise to 15 to 20 years.
Backers say the aim is to protect children from confusion about identity. Miguel Ortigoza, president of the parent federation Fenapep, said people may live as they choose but should not confuse other people’s children.
Ortigoza told Hoy in September that the idea grew from public events like a kissing protest, where children were present. He said private conduct is not the concern.
Who Backs the Bill and Who Objects
Senator Gustavo Leite of the ruling Colorado Party, a former Paraguayan ambassador to the United States, spoke at the rally. He said a similar Senate initiative once stayed in the drawer, and that 50,000 signatures make that unlikely now.
The march ran from Plaza de la Democracia to the Congress plaza. Crowd estimates conflict: Última Hora said hundreds attended, while EFE reported about 1,000.
About 50 civil society groups jointly rejected the bill. They say it ignores real child abuse and could limit free expression and teaching.
The groups cite Public Ministry data of 34,001 child abuse victims from 2015 to May 2026, many inside families, RDN reported. SOMOSGAY, a Paraguayan LGBT advocacy group, said treating same-sex public affection as abuse would violate constitutional guarantees.
ABC Color and RDN describe the bill as aimed at such affection. The text they quote does not name same-sex couples.
The Archdiocese of Asunción said it will not join the call institutionally while its experts study the Article 135 change. The bishops’ conference family pastoral office, by contrast, backed accompanying the rally, EFE said.
The Textbook Row Behind the March
The march followed days of protest over Education Ministry books for a sexuality programme known as EASE. Passages called Adolf Hitler a famous politician who “reached very high,” and critics said other passages reproduce gender stereotypes.
Hoy said Education Minister Luis Ramírez acknowledged an error and cited a zonal trial. The Ombudsman’s office asked for withdrawal, while the minister called it a pilot, Última Hora said.
Opposition Senator Esperanza Martínez denounced the books as promoting machismo. A defender of the materials, author María Judith Turriaga, said they were published out of context and misread, Última Hora reported.
How a Citizen Bill Moves Through Congress
Article 123 of Paraguay’s Constitution lets voters propose bills to Congress, with the form and number of signatures set by law. Hoy reported in September that the bill must first pass through committees.
On Wednesday the Senate lost its quorum twice as several senators went out to join the march, Última Hora reported. Fourteen agenda points, mostly requests for information, were left unresolved.
What It Means for US Readers
Paraguay is one of Washington’s closest South American partners. US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau visited Asunción from 19 to 21 October, as this Landau visit report details.
For visitors nothing changes today, because the text is a proposal that has not been debated. Critics call its wording on acts and material broad, so foreign teachers, publishers and charities in Paraguay would watch the final text.
For background, see the guide to Paraguay’s politics, the vote on marriage under 18 and the Paraguay hub. The Chamber of Deputies passed that marriage bill a day before the march.
What Is Not Known
The number of valid signatures is not confirmed. Organisers say more than 50,000, ABC Color says nearly 50,000, and Hoy reported 48,600 certified in September.
No debate date has been reported, and it is unclear how the Senate will treat the text. Whether the ruling party’s leadership backs the bill beyond the Senate president’s pledge is not known.
The reports reviewed contain no comment from the US government or the president’s office. Whether the text would cover same-sex affection is disputed between backers and critics.
What Comes Next
The next step is a committee referral in the Senate, which its president says he backs. The bill would still need to pass Congress, and nothing in the reports says when.
It does not mean anything has become law, and no one can be charged under the draft today. Committees can amend, delay or shelve a citizen initiative.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Paraguay bill propose?
It would add Article 135c to the Penal Code. Making or spreading material or acts that alter a child’s perception of sexuality would bring 4 to 10 years in prison.
Who is behind it?
Parent federations led by Miguel Ortigoza and a group of lawyers, including Dannia Ríos, drafted it. Senator Gustavo Leite and Senate president Basilio Núñez publicly back it.
Is it law yet?
No, it is only a proposal. Citizens delivered it to the Senate on Wednesday, 21 October, and it must pass committees and both chambers.
Does it affect tourists or expats?
Nothing in the reports says it would apply to visitors, but critics call the wording broad. Foreigners who live or teach in Paraguay should follow the final text.
Why did the march happen now?
Organisers had said in September they would deliver the bill on 21 October. The march also followed a row over Education Ministry sexuality books.
Sources: Última Hora, 21 October 2026; Última Hora, march report; Última Hora, Senate quorum; Última Hora, Ombudsman and EASE books; ABC Color, 21 October 2026; RDN, 21 October 2026; Hoy, 24 September 2026; Hoy, EASE books; EFE via Infobae, 21 October 2026; Constitution of Paraguay, Article 123 (all accessed 22 October 2026).
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief