The senator of the Guasu Front, Esperanza Martínez, spoke about the current political situation at the country level, and took the opportunity to urge citizens to think very well when the election dates arrive, since the future of the country depends on them.
The current situation of the political parties in Paraguay has given much to talk about in recent weeks, and apparently this will continue as doubts remain regarding the definition of the Concertación.
What is the current political situation in which our country finds itself?
I believe that the general situation of the country can be summed up as a crisis in political, economic and social terms, since apart from the situations that had been going on for several decades, other important phenomena were also added. Right now we are in a crisis in all political sectors, there is a lot of corruption, use of public goods and the hijacking of the state by private sectors in some way affected all parties, especially the Liberal Party and Colorado. There is a need for change and renewal, and that hope is pinned on these upcoming elections.
What do you think about the situation of the Colorado Party specifically?
This party is going through its worst moment, they have an institutional crisis and practically the two candidates respond in financing to the same sectors that are being pointed out as corrupt. This is an opportunity for the opposition, articulating in a serious and intelligent way, to start a process of change and build a model of political governability. This can mean an important element so that in 2023 there is a political alternation and a new alternative in Paraguay.
Do you consider that the intervention of the US government is positive for the country?
In some way it is an interference in our internal affairs because it is not the ambassador who has to carry out these actions through press conferences, but since we are such a dependent country and we are in a democratic crisis because our institutions do not work because of the mafia and corruption, then Even the citizens feel relieved and grateful because they think that “if they don’t act, then nobody is going to do anything here.” We agree that there are accusations, but we would like Paraguay, sovereignly from its democratic institutions, to carry out the corresponding punishments and investigations, that justice be equal for all.
Is it important that the Coalition stays?
Of course, because we must not forget that the Colorado Party, despite its crisis and being controlled by narco-politics, continues to be a powerful and important adversary, with a vocation for power and only with a unified strategy of an opposition bloc it can generate an advantage to win in 2023. If we are all divided, the Colorado Party will come out consolidating again as it always does in each electoral period.
What do you think about those who retire, because they do?
I think that those who are leaving have a tactical view and think that maybe building other figures, because there is discontent about the figures that are currently in the Coalition, it must be recognized that there are currently no candidates who by themselves are the great convener of all opposition. I don’t want to delve into those who are outside because in the end I have the hope that when these interns are over we can still sit down and redefine things. I want to respect the decisions they made so that in the future we can remain united.
What are your proposals or projects for 2023?
We have an agenda that we have been proposing from the Guasu Front almost since 2008, 2013 and 2018 that has to do with reforms of important sectors such as health and education; we know that there is a need for these sectors to be guaranteed for citizens. Introduce new knowledge into the production model, such as technology, which today are very important differentiating tools, bet on agrarian reform, agriculture, put an end to smuggling, the mafia and corruption. Also the policies for the protection of the environment, descending from these droughts that are taking place, the renegotiation of Itaipu and a fair tax justice especially in the most unprotected sectors.
Any message you would like to send to the people who are going to vote in the upcoming elections?
Tell people that beyond our anger and disenchantment with politicians, we must understand that there is no way to change reality if we don’t get involved; especially young people who often say that “they are not interested in politics because it is not their problem”, if people do not get involved in politics, politics gets involved with people. I appeal to us to make a strong citizen participation and a strong social debate so that in 2023 the next government works for all Paraguayans.
