Paraguay prosecutors question Eddie Jara over suspicious cash loan

Paraguayan prosecutors are investigating the origins of G. 2,800 million that former Petropar president Eddie Ramón Jara Rojas claims to have lent in cash to a fuel industry businesswoman. The investigation into alleged illicit enrichment focuses on inconsistencies in Jara's financial documentation.

Jara stated the funds were obtained through a US$ 400,000 professional services contract with the owner of H&A Naviera San Francisco. However, the Public Ministry contends that analyzed records do not confirm he received these funds prior to issuing the loan. Furthermore, tax and asset declarations from June 2023 indicate Jara's accumulated economic capacity was only G. 276 million.

Jara's defense attorney, José Ignacio González Macchi, announced plans to appeal restrictive measures placed on the defendant's vehicles, arguing the seizure could cause economic harm to both Jara and the selling firms. The defense is also reviewing the seizure of bank accounts, noting that at least one seized account does not belong to the accused.