Paraguayan governor who had daughter murdered on border with Brazil compares region with Mexico
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The governor of Amambay, Paraguay, Ronald Acevedo, compared the city of Pedro Juan Cabellero with the state of Sinaloa, Mexico region dominated by drug trafficking and the birthplace of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán’s cartel.
Acevedo’s daughter, Haylee Carolina Acevedo Yunis, 21, was killed last Saturday (Oct. 9) in Pedro Juan Caballero, on the border with Ponta Porã, in Mato Grosso do Sul, in a massacre that killed three other people – including two Brazilian medical students, 21 and 18 years old.
“We are heartbroken with my family and all those who lost a family member innocently,” the governor said, La Nación reported.
On Monday (11/10), Paraguayan police arrested six Brazilians suspected of having participated in the massacre. Also seized were three cars, documents, cell phones, jewelry, and marijuana.
Besides the governor’s daughter and two students, Osmar Vicente Álvarez Grance, known as “Bebeto”, was killed. According to Paraguayan police, Alvarez Grance, allegedly linked to drug trafficking, was shot 31 times.
Brazil’s Ponta Porã and Paraguay’s Pedro Juan Caballero form one city, and the border runs right through it. Other deaths like this occurred in the same region, one of the most violent in the state and where crimes such as arms and drug trafficking are committed.
Most of the executions in the border region take place on the Paraguayan side. For this reason, the investigation is limited to the neighboring country.
Key Facts
— Deep Dive
— For the complete picture, read our in-depth guide: Paraguay: Washington's Most Valued Ally in Latin America
More: Brazil news in English, every day from The Rio Times.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief