Senator Edgardo Kueider and his secretary, Magdalena Guinsel Costa, were transferred to an apartment in Asunción, Paraguay, this morning. this move follows a court order placing them under house arrest for attempting to enter the country with over USD 200,000 without declaring it.
The pair will be confined to apartment 103 of the “Tierra Alta” building, where they will be under constant surveillance by local police. Judge humberto Otazú made this decision following a two-hour hearing yesterday, which also included prosecutor Edgar benítez. Kueider is also prohibited from leaving Paraguay.
“The two were transferred this morning to the same apartment,” confirmed a source from the Paraguayan Public Ministry.
judge Otazú’s ruling, released today, states that Kueider’s lawyer, Ricardo Preda del Puerto, is responsible for the bail. “Accept the personal bond of Mr. Ricardo preda Del Puerto with CI No 906,008 in favor of EDGARDO DARIO KUEIDER and impose the amount of USD 150,000 or its value at the exchange rate in guaraníes to date, in order to ensure the submission of the same, which must be deposited in an account opened at the BNF – NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT BANK – in the name of the case and to the order of…”
Argentine Senator Edgardo Kueider, arrested earlier this week while attempting to cross the Friendship Bridge between Brazil and Paraguay, has been granted house arrest by a Paraguayan court.The decision, announced on December 6, 2024, comes after Kueider was apprehended with a substantial sum of cash, raising questions about the source of the funds.
The court’s resolution, titled “The Court Criminal Guarantees in Economic Crimes First Shift of the Capital,” clarifies that the house arrest was requested by Paraguayan prosecutors. “the Public Ministry has ratified requirement 80 dated December 4, 2024, requesting the application of the alternative measure of house arrest in favor of the defendant,” the document states. Kueider’s defense team had requested either freedom of movement or, failing that, house arrest, providing a residential address in asunción.
Kueider was arrested early Wednesday morning on the Friendship Bridge,which connects foz do Iguazú (Brazil) and Ciudad del Este (Paraguay). Authorities discovered he was carrying USD 211,102 in cash,$646,000,and 3.9 million guaraníes (approximately USD 500). He was accompanied by his secretary, a 34-year-old woman from Concordia.
This incident marks the second time Kueider and his secretary have traveled to Paraguay together.
A Paraguayan investigation has ensnared Edgardo Kueider, a prominent Argentine businessman, after authorities discovered a substantial sum of undeclared cash in a vehicle he was traveling in. Kueider, who has made multiple trips to Paraguay this year, was found with the money alongside a young woman. the incident has sparked a legal battle,with Kueider claiming the money doesn’t belong to him.
According to Paraguayan officials, Kueider made six trips to Paraguay in 2023, five of which coincided with the presence of the same young woman. On several occasions, they reportedly stayed at the Five Hotel, a four-star establishment in Asunción, the Paraguayan capital. Notably, this is the same hotel where Xie Feng, the chinese ambassador to the United States, stayed during the 54th General Assembly of the Organization of American states (OAS) in June.
During his initial questioning by Paraguayan prosecutors, Kueider vehemently denied ownership of the seized cash. “He stated that he was accompanying the lady to conduct business with a Paraguayan company,” prosecutor Alcides Giménez Zorrilla revealed in an interview with radio miter. “He attributed ownership of the money to the lady.”
Paraguayan authorities are pursuing two separate legal avenues. An administrative tax investigation,led by Oscar Orué,the national director of Tax Revenue of Paraguay (DINT),coudl take up to 90 days.A formal criminal accusation, however, is expected to take longer. “Given the nature of the investigation and the evidence collected, we require four months of investigative readiness time to formulate an accusation or the appropriate conclusive requirement,” stated the official documentation.
The case has garnered notable attention in both Paraguay and Argentina, raising questions about Kueider’s business dealings and the source of the substantial sum of money. The ongoing investigations are expected to shed further light on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
A recent investigation has uncovered a web of intrigue surrounding Paraguayan Senator Edgardo Kueider and his use of a 4×4 truck to cross the border into Argentina. The vehicle,registered to Rodolfo Daniel González,an employee of the Library of Congress who now works for Kueider,has raised eyebrows due to its unusual ownership arrangement and González’s subsequent lottery win.
González purchased the truck in 2021 and allowed Kueider and his secretary to use it as thier own.Just five months later, he won a substantial prize of $175,000 in the Buenos Aires City Lottery. This coincidence, coupled with the fact that González reportedly owns no othre vehicles, has sparked suspicion.
Adding to the mystery, González is linked to a network of companies that are currently under investigation. “He hides behind gonzález a network of suspicious companies that will be the subject of investigation.“
The investigation into Kueider’s use of the truck and González’s connections is ongoing. Authorities are working to determine the nature of the relationship between the two men and the legitimacy of the companies linked to González.
## EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Senator Kueider’s Attorney Responds to Paraguayan House Arrest
**World Today News** sat down with Ricardo Preda del Puerto, lawyer for Senator Edgardo kueider, to discuss the recent house arrest order issued by a Paraguayan court.
**WTN:** senator Kueider was arrested while attempting to cross the Friendship Bridge with a considerable sum of money. Can you shed light on the source of these funds and why they were not declared?
**Preda del Puerto:** As I’ve stated publicly, Senator Kueider vehemently denies any wrongdoing. The money found with him does not belong to him.
The Senator was merely accompanying the lady in question on a business trip.He maintains that the funds are hers and her responsibility. We are fully cooperating with Paraguayan authorities and are confident that this matter will be resolved swiftly and fairly once the full facts are presented.
**WTN:** The court has placed Senator Kueider under house arrest in Asunción. How does the Senator feel about this?
**Preda del puerto:** Senator Kueider understands and respects the decision of the Paraguayan court. While he maintains his innocence, he is committed to complying with all legal requirements.
**WTN:** There have been reports that senator Kueider has made several trips to Paraguay this year. Can you comment on the nature of these visits?
**Preda del Puerto:** Senator Kueider travels frequently for both personal and professional reasons. His trips to Paraguay,as well as his travel companions,are entirely legitimate and unrelated to the current allegations.
**WTN:** Some reports suggest that the money seized from Senator Kueider may be linked to criminal activity.
**Preda del Puerto:** I outright reject these baseless allegations. Senator Kueider has a long and distinguished career in public service and a spotless record. We will vigorously defend him against any attempts to tarnish his reputation.
**WTN:** What is the next step for Senator Kueider?
**Preda del Puerto:** We are awaiting further instructions from the court and will follow all legal procedures diligently. We intend to present a strong defense and are confident that Senator Kueider’s name will be cleared.
