“Since August 2025, there has been a worrying surge in violence and threats against journalists investigating corruption, organized crime and the abuse of political power in Paraguay. Despite repeated requests for a protection law and the state’s official acknowledgement of these risks, the assaults continue. Reporters Without Borders (RSF, for its acronym in French) has […]
"On Monday [Oct. 13], an unidentified person threw a Molotov cocktail and a bullet wrapped in paper with a threatening message at the home of Paraguayan journalist Aníbal Benítez, director of a digital media outlet specializing in legal news, in the third attack against journalists in the city of Lambaré (central Paraguay). Benítez told the […]
"The Senate [in Paraguay] approved a declaration following recent attacks and threats against journalists, seeking to clarify the cases and identify those responsible. [...] Also, in about 15 days, the bill for the protection of journalists and human rights defenders, drafted by the Paraguayan Journalists' Union (SPP, for its acronym in Spanish) and organizations such […]
"The Paraguayan Journalists' Union (SPP, for its acronym in Spanish) denounced this Tuesday [Sept. 23] that its country 'has not made great efforts' to protect the sector and reported 'more than 100 cases of attacks' against journalists since 2022, the year in which the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (I/A Court H.R.) condemned the Paraguayan […]
"Speaking with ABC Cardinal this Friday, Commissioner Ramón Morales, deputy commander of the National Police, spoke about the immediate measures the police are taking following the shooting of journalist Carlos Benítez's home in Lambaré [Paraguay] last night [Sept. 18]. This was the second such attack against a journalist this week in the city. Unknown individuals […]
"Journalist Aníbal Gómez Caballero, with a long career in the city of Pedro Juan Caballero, has received new death threats via WhatsApp related to his radio journalism work and his reports on possible corruption in local politics. The Paraguayan Journalists' Union and the International Federation of Journalists absolutely condemn these threats and demand that the […]
"Journalist Jéssica Martínez was doing her job outside the Emboscada Antigua Penitentiary on Monday, Aug. 25, when she was unexpectedly struck in the chest by one of the guards of Justice Minister Rodrigo Nicora. The assault, which was captured on video, prompted a group of journalists to express solidarity with Martínez and demand at least […]
"Representatives of former ABC Color newspaper editor Aldo Zuccolillo told the Inter-American Court of Human Rights on Tuesday [Aug. 19] that the Paraguayan state violated his right to freedom of expression and thought as a result of a criminal conviction for offenses against honor. The case before the court concerns Paraguay’s alleged international responsibility for […]
An episode of violence against the press was reported on Thursday [Aug. 14] during a protest led by municipal officials in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay. Radio Concierto network reporter Héctor Maciel was assaulted while covering officials demanding payment for back wages, according to the media outlet Última Hora. According to local reports, a group of […]
"The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) expressed concern over a recent order issued by Paraguayan authorities mandating the temporary closure of the 263 stores of the Biggie Express chain, owned by Grupo ABC, which also owns the newspaper ABC Color. The newspaper, in an editorial, denounced the measure as a 'ferocious squeeze to silence' the media […]
"The Inter-American Court of Human Rights (I/A Court HR) announced this Monday [Aug 11] that it will hold its 180th regular session in Paraguay from Sept. 22 to 26, where it will hear cases from the host country, as well as from Peru, Brazil, and Argentina. [...] the Costa Rican judge [Nancy Hernández] said that […]
“In a letter read publicly this morning, Cinthia González, widow of the murdered Brazilian journalist Leo Veras, denounced that the [Paraguayan] congressman for Amambay, Santiago Benítez and owner of Radio Imperio, allegedly interceded on behalf of Waldemar Pereira, alias ‘Cachorrão’, a 41-year-old Paraguayan and alleged hitman linked to organized crime who was investigated for the […]