US embassy cable - 05ASUNCION1290

S E C R E T ASUNCION 001290 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR INR-B, WHA/BSC 
 
E.O. 12958: DNG: CO 10/12/2016 
TAGS: PINR, PGOV, PREL, PA 
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY: NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL RUBEN CANDIA 
AMARILLA BIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION 
 
 
Classified By: Susan S. Sutter for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (U)  Biographic information of the new Attorney General 
Ruben Candia Amarilla. 
 
2.  (U)  Ruben Candia Amarilla replaced former Attorney 
General Oscar Latorre (2000-2005) after his five-year term 
expired at the end of August 2005.  The Paraguayan Senate 
approved Candia,s appointment on August 18, 2005, despite an 
unconfirmed allegation he had solicited a bribe as a judge 
and his work as a defense attorney on behalf of a well-known 
drug trafficker.  Candia was hand picked by President Duarte 
for this position, which also prompted strong resistance from 
the opposition who believe the incumbent should be 
independent of the government. 
 
3.  (U)  Prior to his appointment as Attorney General, Candia 
served as the Minister of Justice and Labor from May 
2005-August 2005, replacing Juan Dario Monges, who resigned 
to further his career in Congress.  Candia also served as a 
deputy labor minister and worked as a judge during the 
Stroessner government. 
 
4.  (S)  Candia, a lawyer by training, also worked as a 
private criminal defense attorney.  His clients included a 
well-known drug trafficker and several other high-level 
criminals. Candia maintains he worked these cases as a junior 
attorney and only defended these criminals to move ahead in 
the practice.  In fact, in September, he requested a meeting 
with the Ambassador to clear his name as a reputed friend to 
drug traffickers.  Sensitive reporting, however, indicates 
that Candia is heavily influenced by his close advisor, 
Victor Cogliolo Gonzalez, a former police commissioner who is 
known to be corrupt. 
 
5.  (S)  In initial meetings with Embassy officials, Candia 
initially seemed apprehensive and unsure of his new role, 
making it difficult to read his allegiances. At one point he 
expressed great admiration for former Attorney General Oscar 
Latorre, but in another thought accused him of removing GOP 
files and sensitive equipment from the Public Ministry before 
his departure. 
 
6.  (U)  Candia expressed support while meeting with Embassy 
officials, for continuing existing programs implemented by 
Latorre and for the unification of the Economic Crimes Unit 
and an Anti-Corruption Unit to facilitate increased 
information sharing with other GOP entities and the 
implementation of a case tracking system.  He also expressed 
broad support for USG priorities and technical assistance 
programs already in progress.  In addition, Candia stressed 
in statements to the press that his priorities as Attorney 
General were to strengthen investigative procedures and to 
ensure that the Public Ministry has the financial means to 
carry out successful investigations. 
 
7. (U)  Ruben Candia Amarilla is 50 years old. 
 
8. (C)  Comment: Though Candia publicly stated he is willing 
to stand up to corruption and has announced plans to 
reorganize the Public Ministry's office in CDE, at this 
stage, it may be too early to tell if Candia will follow 
through with supporting existing programs and USG priorities. 
 He may be influenced by corrupt advisors and co-opted by the 
members of the corrupt system in Paraguay. 
KEANE