HomeNewsBriefParaguay's EPP Accuses President of Narco Ties in PR Campaign
BRIEF

Paraguay's EPP Accuses President of Narco Ties in PR Campaign

EPP / 9 APR 2014 BY MIMI YAGOUB EN

A rare communique issued by Paraguay's EPP guerrillas has labeled the country's administration a "narco-government," in an apparent public relations attempt to rebuff the president's aggressive pursuit of the rebel group.

In Ultima Hora's transcript of the document -- which was emailed to a media station on April 8 -- the Paraguayan People's Army (EPP) pay homage to their dead comrades Bernardo Bernal Maiz, alias "Coco," and Claudelino Silva, who were killed on April 2 in a clash with security forces at a ranch in northern Paraguay.

They also claim the government "does not want to accept" the EPP's responsibility for the disappearance of Arlan Fick, the son of the ranch owners, that same day.

The communique describes the EPP as an army defending the country's poor and denounces President Horacio Cartes as a "drug trafficker," while condemning politicians for forming part of Paraguay's "putrefied bourgeois system" and "democracy of the rich."

InSight Crime Analysis

The EPP is not generally known for its public relations efforts. However, this latest communique follows two videos released in January, which also contained allegations President Cartes was involved in the drug trade, suggesting they may be looking to boost their media profile as well as undermine the president's legitimacy.

These releases appear to be an attempt to turn the tables on Cartes, who has made the EPP a security priority, and in doing so has turned the attention of the media and the public to the small rebel group, rather than to the widespread problems of drug trafficking, contraband and corruption -- all of which Cartes has been personally implicated in.

SEE ALSO: Coverage of the EPP

The statement also seems designed as a counterstrike to the killing of an EPP leader last week, with the guerrillas keen to show they are not retreating in the wake of the attack.

The insurgents' roundabout admission that they abducted Arlan Fick is unsurprising, as the group is well known for its use of kidnapping. This crime has been one of the main sources of financing for the EPP ever since the group was founded by radicals involved in the 2004 abduction and subsequent murder of Cecilia Cubas, the daughter of former president Raul Cubas.

share icon icon icon

Was this content helpful?

We want to sustain Latin America’s largest organized crime database, but in order to do so, we need resources.

DONATE

What are your thoughts? Click here to send InSight Crime your comments.

We encourage readers to copy and distribute our work for non-commercial purposes, with attribution to InSight Crime in the byline and links to the original at both the top and bottom of the article. Check the Creative Commons website for more details of how to share our work, and please send us an email if you use an article.

Was this content helpful?

We want to sustain Latin America’s largest organized crime database, but in order to do so, we need resources.

DONATE

Related Content

ARGENTINA / 10 AUG 2022

Uruguay has made Latin America's largest ever seizure of European methamphetamine, marking a new phase in drug trafficking dynamics.

MARIJUANA / 21 JUL 2021

A string of large marijuana seizures in Paraguay's eastern border departments underscores how the region continues to be a key…

BRAZIL / 9 AUG 2021

A shadowy vigilante death squad operating on the Brazil-Paraguay border is killing supposed thieves and then leaving notes next to…

About InSight Crime

WORK WITH US

Open Position: Social Media and Engagement Strategist

27 MAY 2023

InSight Crime is looking for a Social Media and Engagement Strategist who will be focused on maintaining and improving InSight Crime’s reputation and interaction with its audiences through publishing activities…

THE ORGANIZATION

Venezuela Coverage Receives Great Reception

27 MAY 2023

Several of InSight Crime’s most recent articles about Venezuela have been well received by regional media. Our article on Venezuela’s colectivos expanding beyond their political role to control access to…

THE ORGANIZATION

InSight Crime's Chemical Precursor Report Continues

19 MAY 2023

For the second week in a row, our investigation into the flow of precursor chemicals for the manufacture of synthetic drugs in Mexico has been cited by multiple regional media…

THE ORGANIZATION

InSight Crime’s Chemical Precursor Report Widely Cited

THE ORGANIZATION / 12 MAY 2023

We are proud to see that our recently published investigation into the supply chain of chemical precursors feeding Mexico’s synthetic drug production has been warmly received.

THE ORGANIZATION

InSight Crime’s Paraguay Election Coverage Draws Attention 

5 MAY 2023

InSight Crime looked at the various anti-organized crime policies proposed by the candidates in Paraguay’s presidential election, which was won on April 30 by Santiago Peña. Our pre-election coverage was cited…