The Minister of Education and Culture, Pablo Da Silveira, he said he hopes “gets to the bone” in the investigation for the alleged sexual exploitation of minors by the senator Gustavo Penades. The minister also defended the President of the Republic, Luis Lacalle Pou, for having supported the legislator.
In this regard, Da Silveira said that “people” perceive Lacalle Pou “as it is.” “We have a president who he is an affectionate typewhich is a type that put trust in people and that his first reflection is in that line until they show him otherwise,” the minister said Thursday about the case in 970 News of Universal Radio.
Regarding the case of sexual exploitation of minors, da Silveira said that “we must hope that this process goes ahead and that justice reaches the conclusions it reaches and? act as you are acting with complete freedom, without any kind of government interference and get to the bone.”
The change of Lacalle Pou on the Penadés case
The day after the nationalist militant Romina Celeste Papasso said that when she was 13 years old and had not begun her gender transition, Penadés abused her twice, the senator made a press statement, where he did not accept questions. Over there denied the abuse: “I do not admit that because I have that sexual orientation (homosexual) they accuse me of being a pedophile.”
Less than 24 hours after the declaration where Penadés , the president Luis Lacalle Pou referred to the subject. In an informal conversation with journalists and after participating in an activity at the Police School, she said that Herrerista senator had his “trust and support”.
“I believe him”he affirmed, although he added that he hoped that the Justice would clarify the case.
Almost a month and a half – and five more complaints against Penadés – after his first statement, the president explained his initial position: “I ask any of you: a friend comes, a person you’ve known for 30 years, looks you in the eye and says ‘I didn’t go, I didn’t do anything, isn’t that true’, who does anyone believe? He would be a bad friend if I don’t believe him.I wouldn’t be a friend, I wouldn’t have confidence”, he said in front of the cameras.
As in his first reference, he said that Penadés is “subject to proof to the contrary” and that if “Justice is expressed” against the legislator would generate several effects. “First, that Justice is right. And second, the personal belongings that, since Justice has not ruled yet, I cannot anticipate, “he said.
The days passed and the complaints reached eight. On May 29, the prosecutor Alicia Ghione He decided to request the senator’s immunity and two days later that request entered Parliament.
In that scenario, and after a whistleblower decided to speak publiclythe president referred to the issue again, but his position changed. “The complaints are many, from what I have been able to find out, they are serious”, he said last Friday June 2 at a press conference and again referred to the personal bond. “(If he is found guilty) there is a theme of personal consequence that you will imagine is very strong”, added.
This Wednesday, the Senate unanimously approved the impeachment of Penadés. In recent days, nationalist leaders stopped supporting the legislator, who this Tuesday resigned from the National Party.
