Weekly Report - 09 February 2023 (WR-23-06)

Paraguay’s former president Horacio Cartes (2013-2018) has responded to US sanctions on him and companies that he owns or controls by announcing his intention to “cease all shareholding participation, direct or indirect”, according to his lawyer. It remains to be seen whether this is an electoral stunt, with presidential and congressional elections being held on 30 April and opinion surveys indicating widespread disillusionment with official corruption.