Marciano Chevugi, candidate for the Senate for the Alianza Encuentro Nacional (AEN), is a national warrior leader belonging to the Aché community (an ethnic group originally from Paraguay). He is a fighter for the defense of the indigenous peoples of Paraguay, he is also a fighter and a social activist who fights for a vulnerable society. He is dedicated to teaching since he is a teacher of Guarani.
Thanks to his friendship with Soledad Núñez, he decided to run for the Senate in these elections.
Who is Marciano Chevugi?
I am a volunteer at the MEC as a teacher of the Ache language. I am a born leader and national coordinator of the Ache Native Federation of Paraguay. I am also a proud father. The Aché people represent the indigenous peoples of Paraguay. Thanks to the trust of my family, I was able to be in the political arena because I know that we can all build a better Paraguay. Politics is not a career, but it is to serve all Paraguayans who deserve respect and that is why I am encouraged. We are all of the Guarani race, we have Guarani blood and we want a better Paraguay. That’s why I took the courage to run for 2023.
How did you decide to run for Senate in these elections?
I made that decision motivated by a sad story of the Ache people and that touched me deeply. We know that our country has many injustices, inequalities, it also forces me because of the lack of respect for indigenous peoples that is guaranteed by the National Constitution, each party politician does things as they please. The Magna Carta of the Republic of Paraguay must be respected, that is why I took this decision and courage to enter the political arena.
What is the sad story of the Ache people?
The Aché people went through a genocide in the 70’s. It was almost exterminated. Between the years 1950 and 1970 there were around 3,000 Aché, at the time of the dictatorship. But after those years there were only 380 left. After 50 years we are once again reaching 3,000 people. The history of my people hurt me a lot because there were people raped, sold for misery, some were killed by hunters, rollers, ranchers, invaders, including my grandparents and my people. Some were taken by force, mainly Ache children. That touched me very strongly and is a very big challenge for me. I don’t want my people to go through that horrible and terrible story anymore. That forces me to apply.
What would you like to do as a senator?
I don’t want to be a partisan candidate who has a lot of promises that he doesn’t keep. I want to build a territorial and collective project. See the situation of my people, of the communities, of the people in the streets, to build a solid project, a decent project, that the indigenous peoples deserve is what I want to do. I am not ethnocentric, we know that the mandate of senator is for everyone, that is why I want to develop a decent project. Laws that benefit Paraguayan men and women. I want to enter and build together projects that benefit everyone. Not only to sit on the chairs but to visit the length and breadth of the country to know the reality. I want a better future for production, health, education, we have human wealth, knowledge and natural resources. But the political will to apply within each area is lacking.
How do you see the management of Abdo Benítez?
He lacks the political will of the current President of the Republic, unfortunately he is not a leader, he does not have many years of experience. He does not know the needs of everyone, he is a person who only takes advantage of the situation, he does not have the political will or the experience to be able to offer a decent life to all Paraguayans. He is a bright young man, but he does not have the wisdom to lead our country. The country is worse now and it hurts me a lot. As a Chevugi, a born indigenous people, I am a pure Guarani, I want to show him how he should do it decently and that he be humble with an open heart to listen to all Paraguayans.
How did you join the Alianza Encuentro Nacional (AEN)?
Thanks to the trust of Soledad Núñez. She was my only friend. At her time, when she was Minister of Housing, I worked very closely with her to make decent housing for indigenous communities. At that time we met, we talked on the phone and she promised to accompany me if she decided to enter politics. Some time later, when she returned to the community, we talked about her political project and there I told her that I wanted to work with her, be a senator to be able to help the indigenous communities.
A message to the citizens?
I ask the citizens for awareness to elect new people, with new faces. Not only those who have been around for a long time. I hope people become aware and vote for me and we will build a better Paraguay together. In my person, I am a humble person, who has time to listen to people. We have to elect new people and vote for new people, in politics but with many years of experience, of struggle, fighting with the indigenous peoples of Paraguay and many years as a born leader. Politics is not a profession, but rather to serve the native peoples, all Paraguayans and society, I want to serve all the Paraguayan people.
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DATA SHEET
Name: Marciano (the Aché do not have a surname).
Place of birth: District of Villa Ygatimi, department of Canindeyú, in the Chupapo community (which means new place in the Aché language).
Date of Birth: December 27, 1978 (43).
Family: Married 23 years with six children.
Positions held in the public function: Council in the National Secretariat of Culture.
Hobbies: Play soccer, piki volleyball, fan of Cerro Porteño.
