13/07/2026 12:05 - Judiciales
On July 13, 2026, the Paraguayan justice system reaches a decisive stage. The Specialized Court on Economic Crimes and Anti-Corruption of Asunción began the final hearing in the trial against former Argentine National Senator for Entre Ríos, Edgardo Kueider, and his partner and secretary, Iara Guinsel.
According to reports from local media such as TN and Ámbito, after hearing the final arguments, judges Elsa García and Adriana Planás, alongside judge Matías Garcete Piris, retired to deliberate. They are expected to announce the verdict in the coming hours, seeking to clarify the facts and provide certainty to all parties involved.
The judicial conflict began on December 4, 2024, when Kueider and Guinsel were detained at the border crossing between Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil) and Ciudad del Este (Paraguay), on the Friendship Bridge. They were traveling in a Chevrolet Trailblazer truck.
The prosecution, represented by Ysarel Villalba, argues that the couple attempted to enter Paraguay with more than 200,000 US dollars in cash, along with money in Paraguayan Guaraníes and Argentine Pesos, without declaring it to customs authorities. The prosecutor requested a sentence of 2 years and 2 months in prison for the crime of 'attempted smuggling' (tentativa de contrabando), a figure close to the legal maximum of two and a half years provided for this offense.
The defense, led by lawyers Marcelo Bogado and Carlos Arévalo, optimistically argued that cash cannot be considered merchandise, and therefore, the crime of smuggling would not apply. Neither of the accused testified during the hearings, exercising their constitutional right to remain silent.
Kueider maintained his innocence and praised the speed and professionalism of the Paraguayan justice system. Regarding Guinsel, he clarified that she only worked in the Argentine National Senate for 4 months (between February and May 2024) as a contractor, not as a tenured public official. For her part, Guinsel thanked the people of Paraguay for their human support during this process, stating that thanks to this solidarity, they were able to overcome the situation.
I deeply respect the Paraguayan people and its institutions. The truth is that the actions of the Paraguayan justice system are enviable.
Currently, Kueider and Guinsel have been serving house arrest in Paraguay for a year and a half, a time that will be computed favorably in the event of a firm conviction.
In Argentina, both were formally charged with money laundering, linked to the purchase of six apartments with parking spaces in a luxury building in Asunción. Additionally, the former senator faces two separate cases for alleged illicit enrichment in the Guarantee Court 2 of Concordia (Entre Ríos province) and the Federal Criminal and Correctional Court 1 of San Isidro (Buenos Aires province).
Federal judge Sandra Arroyo Salgado requested his extradition, a procedure already approved by Paraguayan authorities, which now awaits a decision from the Argentine Supreme Court. The Federal Chamber of San Isidro recently rejected a request for exemption from prison, meaning Kueider could be immediately arrested upon returning to Argentina, while a definitive resolution ordering his legal status is pending.
Sources: TN, Ámbito, Análisis Digital
Alfredo S. Quiroga
