Paraguayan progressives and human rights advocates have launched an international solidarity campaign in support of Paraguayan Communist political prisoners and prisoners of war Laura Villalba, Carmen Villalba, and Francisca Andino, urging workers, unions, student organizations, social movements, and activists worldwide to participate in a week of coordinated actions denouncing the treatment of them in prison. The three are leaders and members of the Paraguayan People’s Army (EPP), a Communist organization launching an armed struggle against the US-backed Paraguayan Old State.
The Week of Solidarity, held from June 1 to June 7, seeks to increase pressure on Paraguayan Justice Minister Rodrigo Nicora and the government of President Santiago Peña over systematic human rights violations, including prolonged solitary confinement, incommunicado detention, and torture.
Supporters are being encouraged to record short video statements, submit photographs holding campaign slogans, and send letters of protest to Paraguayan embassies and consulates. Organizers say these actions are intended to break the isolation imposed on the prisoners and draw international attention to their situation. Materials can be sent to the campaign through email or social media channels.
Among the central demands raised by solidarity committees are the immediate release of the prisoners, an end to prolonged isolation and punitive prison conditions, restoration of family visits, and an end to what activists describe as ongoing persecution of the Villalba family. Campaign slogans include “Freedom for Political Prisoners,” “Break the Isolation,” “Visits Now for Carmen, Laura, and Francisca,” and “The Paraguayan Political Prisoners Are Not Alone.”
The campaign also continues to raise questions regarding the disappearance of Lichita and demands justice for Lilian Mariana and María Carmen Villalba, two girls killed during a Paraguayan military operation against the EPP and relatives of the Lauren and Carmen, a case that remains a rallying point for human rights advocates and revolutionaries.
According to campaign organizers and legal representatives, the conditions faced by the three political prisoners illustrate the deteriorating state of democratic rights in Paraguay. Particular attention has been focused on Carmen Villalba, a longtime leader of the EPP, who is being held despite having already completed the prison sentence imposed on her by the courts.
Documents submitted to the United Nations reportedly detail the secret transfer of Carmen Villalba, Francisca Andino, and Laura Villalba to the maximum-security prison at Minga Guazú in October 2024. The transfer allegedly took place during a nighttime operation in which the three were hooded, handcuffed, and denied prior notification to their legal counsel, actions that campaigners contend violated both domestic and international human rights standards.
Campaign representatives further allege that repression intensified in August 2025 when Carmen Villalba was moved to an isolated wing of Emboscada prison. There, she was reportedly subjected to extreme confinement, inadequate food supplies, and a lack of medical attention. Her lawyer, Salvador Sánchez, has stated that prolonged solitary confinement severely damaged her health, causing debilitating spinal pain and leaving her unable to walk without difficulty.
Solidarity organizations argue that the treatment of the prisoners constitutes political persecution and are calling for broad international mobilization to demand their freedom, improved prison conditions, and accountability for abuses committed by the Paraguayan State.
The support committees raise several slogans, including: ““Freedom for political prisoners” , “End of the regime of punishment and prolonged isolation” , “Visits now for Carmen, Laura and Francisca”.
As the revolutionary armed struggle in Paraguay continues and the general crisis of the semi-feudal, semi-colonial society worsens, the Old Paraguayan State has renewed its offensive against the workers, peasants, and people’s movements. In April, peasant leader Elvio Benítez was arrested for calling for the occupation of big feudal properties, and remains imprisoned to this day.
Participants can record short videos, share photos with campaign slogans, or submit letters denouncing human rights violations. Materials can be sent to solidaridadfamiliavillalba@gmail.com or via Instagram (@solidaridadfliavillalba).
[Image source: A Nova Democracia]
