INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
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
money gap between 2009 and 2019
This could lead to an appeal from the prosecutor.BackgroundMiguel 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.
