Paraguay’s new president, economist Santiago Peña, 44, took office in Asuncion on Tuesday vowing to fight corruption, which has become gangrenous in the country and for which his mentor and predecessor is facing US sanctions.

“I am convinced that the problems of corruption are solved by an independent, impartial and speedy justice,” Mr Peña said in his speech after being sworn in. He promised “clear, transparent and unwavering” policy against corruption and for “politics to stop being attractive to organized crime”.

Transparency “will allow us to show the world that Paraguay is much better than some claim,” he assured.

Among those present at his swearing-in were Brazil’s president Lula, Chile’s president Gabriel Borich, Spain’s King Felipe, as well as Taiwan’s vice president William Lai.

Paraguay is among the 13 countries in the world – it is the only one in South America – that still officially recognizes Taipei. Mr Peña visited the island in July.

Mr. Peña assured that during his days Paraguay will seek everywhere “horizontal” agreements with a “geostrategic vision”. However, he underlined the special relationship with Taiwan, a country among them “with which we feel not just allies, but brothers”.

The former economy minister, who has been through his country’s central bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), was elected president on April 30, keeping intact the seven-decade hegemony of the Colorado (right) party in Paraguay.

Throughout his campaign, as well as after his victory, he had to defend himself against his stigmatization due to his close relationship with his political mentor and ardent supporter of former president (2013-2018) Horacio Cartes. Remarkably, he paid tribute to him in his speech yesterday.

Mr. Kartes, a tobacco magnate, was characterized in 2022 as being involved in “significant corruption” by the US government, which prohibited him from entering the US territory and any transaction with natural or legal persons in its jurisdiction, although Washington is historically characterized as a large ally of Asuncion.

Exporting mainly agricultural products, Paraguay can boast enviable prosperity compared to the rest of Latin America (5% growth projected in 2023), but it remains a strikingly unequal country, increasingly in the grip of drug cartels and undermined. from corruption.

It ranks 137th out of 180 countries in the corruption perception index as compiled by the NGO Transparency International.