From The Rio Times · Matias Sebastian Lopez · · 4m
Paraguay Politics Explained, Who Holds Power in 2026
Paraguay's Colorado Party splits over 2028 presidential race as Peña's term ends.
In brief
Paraguay's Colorado Party splits over 2028 presidential race as Peña's term ends. Paraguay's Colorado Party split on Sunday, 18 October 2026, with former president Horacio Cartes announcing his faction will field no candidates in the 2027 party primaries. Originally reported by The Rio Times.
Key Facts
Paraguay's ruling Colorado Party split on Sunday, 18 October 2026, when former president Horacio Cartes said his Honor Colorado faction will field no candidates in the 2027 party primaries.
Why it matters
President Santiago Peña cannot run again, so the fight over his successor decides who holds power in Asunción after his term ends in August 2028.
The numbers
The Colorados won 23 of 45 Senate seats, 48 of 80 Chamber seats and 15 of 17 governorships in April 2023, and 187 of 263 mayoralties on 4 October 2026.
Who is who
Peña is president, Pedro Alliana is vice president, Cartes chairs the Colorado Party, Basilio Núñez leads the Senate and Raúl Latorre leads the Chamber of Deputies.
What to watch
Colorado factions can register for the 2027 primaries until 30 November 2026, and Alliana still has to choose a running mate for the 2028 race.
Power Index
Paraguay ranks 10th of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index, with 36.0 points (October 2026 edition).
What it means for you
No policy change has been announced, so Paraguay’s Taiwan tie, its new US security agreements and its beef and soy trade continue for now.
How Paraguay Politics Works
Paraguay is a presidential republic, so the president is both head of state and head of government. No prime minister shares the job.
The President, the Vice President and the Cabinet
Santiago Peña leads the executive and chairs the Council of Ministers, which was due to meet on Tuesday, 20 October 2026.
The Colorado Party and the Cartes Split
The ANR is run through factions called movements, which exist only for party elections. Honor Colorado is the movement of Horacio Cartes, president of Paraguay from 2013 to 2018 and now chairman of the party.
Congress, Governors and Local Power
In the April 2023 preliminary count the Colorados won 23 of 45 Senate seats and 48 of 80 Chamber seats.
The Courts, the Prosecutor and the Security Forces
The Supreme Court has nine justices in three chambers set in February 2026. On Thursday, 19 February 2026 they chose Alberto Martínez Simón as president for a term running to February 2027.
The Opposition and the Rising Figures
The Liberal Party (PLRA) is the largest opposition party and is led by Alcides Riveros. It marked its 135th anniversary on Sunday, 18 October 2026, with a call for unity among rival candidates.
Where Paraguay Stands in the Power Index
The Rio Times Latin America Power Index (October 2026 edition) ranks Paraguay 10th of 14 countries, with 36.0 points out of 100.
Foreign Alliances and the Money Fights
Paraguay is the only South American country among Taiwan’s 12 diplomatic allies, and Peña’s government has kept that line.
What It Means for US Readers
For investors, the political risk sits inside the ruling party rather than between parties. The Colorados hold Congress and almost every governorship, so the open questions are Peña’s authority and the central bank dispute.
What Is Not Known
The date of the 2027 Colorado primaries and of the 2028 general election has not been published. The electoral court is due to set the primary date in December 2026.
What it means
Paraguay's Colorado Party split on Sunday, 18 October 2026, with former president Horacio Cartes announcing his faction will field no candidates in the 2027 party primaries.
