Agency accuses Brazil of having practiced illegal espionage against the country; Lula government says plans started in Bolsonaro management
The Public Prosecution Service of Paraguay released on Thursday (3.br.2025) that opened a criminal case to investigate a suspicion of digital espionage carried out by ABIN (Brazilian Intelligence Agency), whose targets would be Paraguayan agencies and authorities.
“By April 1, 2025 Resolution, the assistant prosecutor responsible for the unit specialized in computer crimes, Matilde Moreno decided to delegate the investigation to the Fiscal Agent Irma Llano, of Unit 3 of that specialty, with the objective of promoting the corresponding procedures, in order to confirm or dismiss facts of criminal relevance in Paraguayan territory.”said the entity in note.
The Government of Paraguay had announced on the last Thursday (1.abr) that summoned José Antônio Marcondes, Brazilian Ambassador in Asuncion, to provide explanations about the supposed in Paraguay.
“The opening of the investigation is based on a report sent by the deputy prosecutor Manuel Doldán Breuer, responsible for the Specialized Unit of International Affairs, Extradition and External Legal Assistance, which raised the content of a publication of the UOL media that connects the abin to possible illegal computer invasions directed to the Paraguayan authorities,” Said the Paraguayan Public Prosecution Service.
During the investigation into the alleged parallel structure at the agency, an employee stated in a statement to the PF (Federal Police) that the entity’s current management would have maintained illegal computer invasion operations to Paraguay Government systems, as well as authorities involved in the Itaipu plant negotiations.
“According to reports, these actions would aim to obtain confidential information related to the tariff negotiations of the Itaipu Hydroelectric Plant, allegedly affecting the high national officials, including the President of the Republic, members of the congress, the diplomatic corps and the Walk authorities.”says the prosecutor’s note.
The president’s government (PT) stated that the operation was during the management of the former president (PL).
“The aforementioned operation was authorized by the previous government in June 2022, and made it ineffective by the interim director of ABIN on March 27, 2023, as soon as the current management became aware of the fact. The current director general of ABIN was at that time in the process of approving its name in the Federal Senate, and only assumed the position on May 29, 2023”said the Lula administration.
Read the full note:
“President Lula’s government is categorically categorized any involvement in intelligence action, reported today, against Paraguay, a member of Mercosur with which Brazil maintains historical relations and a close partnership. The aforementioned operation was authorized by the previous government in June 2022 and made it without effect by the interim director of ABIN on March 27, 2023, as soon as the current management became aware of the fact.
“The current Director General of ABIN was at that time in the process of approving its name in the Federal Senate, and only assumed the position on May 29, 2023.
“President Lula’s government reiterates its commitment to respect and transparent dialogue as fundamental elements in diplomatic relations with Paraguay and all its partners in the region and worldwide.”
