Alto Paraná elections show ANR losing territory amid fraud reports

Elections in the Alto Paraná department of Paraguay have resulted in a politically divided landscape. While the Asociación Nacional Republicana (ANR) retained 14 municipalities, the party lost significant strategic territory to opposition movements.

Notable opposition victories include Daniel Pereira Mujica of the Yo Creo movement in Ciudad del Este, Valter Mensch in Santa Rita, and José Castillo in Hernandarias. In Itakyry, the victory of Gustavo Acosta ended 25 years of dominance by the Soria clan. The ANR also lost several mayoral races where incumbents were seeking reelection, including in Juan E. O'Leary, Mbaracayú, Tavapy, and Juan León Mallorquín.

Parallel to the electoral results, police reported various alleged electoral crimes across the region. Incidents in Ciudad del Este and Presidente Franco included suspected identity theft, vote buying, the use of fraudulent credentials, and voter inducement. Authorities detained several individuals and seized unauthorized documents during these interventions.