Asunción Councilman Pablo Callizo detained during protest

Asunción Councilman Pablo Callizo and candidate Sebastián Garay were detained by police following a demonstration in front of the residence of former President Horacio Cartes on Avenida España.

The protesters used stuffed animals and signs to express grievances related to the medical sector and the Asunción Municipality. Callizo reported that the demonstration was peaceful and took place on public sidewalks without blocking vehicular or pedestrian access. He alleged that police attempted to seize the stuffed animals, leading protesters to form a human cordon to protect them. This resulted in officers using force, pinning protesters to the ground, and handcuffing them before transporting them to the 10th Metropolitan Police Station.

The incident has sparked political debate. Deputy Yamil Esgaib criticized the demonstrators, suggesting their presence near a private garage warranted police intervention. Conversely, opposition figures, including Johanna Ortega and Rocío Vallejo, condemned the arrests, comparing the seizure of protest items to historical censorship and calling the police actions an infringement on freedom of expression.