| Silvio Ovelar | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Official portrait, 2023 | |
| Senator of Paraguay | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 5 August 2004 | |
| President of the Senate of Paraguay | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 30 June 2023 | |
| President | Mario Abdo Benítez Santiago Peña |
| Preceded by | Oscar Salomón |
| In office 30 June 2018 – 30 June 2019 | |
| President | Horacio Cartes Mario Abdo Benítez |
| Preceded by | Fernando Lugo |
| Succeeded by | Blas Llano |
| Executive Minister-Secretary of Social Action | |
| In office 15 August 2003 – 3 August 2004 | |
| President | Nicanor Duarte |
| Preceded by | Aurelio Varela |
| Succeeded by | María Ester Jiménez |
| Governor of Caaguazú | |
| In office 15 August 1998 – 15 August 2003 | |
| Preceded by | Mario Soto |
| Succeeded by | Enzo Vera |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Silvio Adalberto Ovelar Benítez (1967-11-20) 20 November 1967 (age 57) Coronel Oviedo, Caaguazú, Paraguay |
| Political party | Colorado |
| Spouse | Iris Magnolia Mendoza |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Catholic University of Asunción (BA) |
| Occupation |
|
Silvio Adalberto "Beto" Ovelar Benítez (born 20 November 1967) is a Paraguayan politician who has served as senator since 2004. A member of the Colorado Party aligned with Horacio Cartes, he has served as president of the Senate since 2023, office he previously held from 2018 to 2019.
Ovelar previously served as governor of Caaguazú from 1998 to 2003.
Early life
Family
Silvio Adalberto Ovelar Benítez was born on 20 November 1967 in Coronel Oviedo, Caaguazú, to Silvio Ovelar Sr. and Hermelinda Benítez. He has five siblings: Gustavo, Robert, Hugo, Eber and Mariela.
Ovelar has three children and is currently married to Iris Magnolia Mendoza, a lawyer. His son with his ex-wife Lidia Alicia Ayala, Alejandro, has been the subject of controversy, being accused of benefiting from nepotism.
Education
Ovelar studied political science at the Catholic University of Asunción. He also studied law there, but did not graduate.
Political career
Ovelar started his political career at an early age, being elected president of the Colorado Youth in 1992. In 1994, he was elected president of one of the seccionales (local headquarters of the Colorado Party) of Coronel Oviedo, his hometown.
In 1998, Ovelar was elected governor of Caaguazú, serving until his term expired in 2003.
Senator (2004-)
In 2003, after his term as governor of Caaguazú ended, Ovelar was appointed substitute senator. A year later, in 2004, Ovelar officially became a senator, filling the vacant seat of Ana María Figueredo, who resigned. Ovelar was elected to a term of his own in 2008.
After being reelected in 2013 and 2018, Ovelar was elected by his peers to the office of president of the Senate, succeeding Fernando Lugo. Ovelar held the office until 2019, when he was replaced by Blas Llano. After being reelected again in 2023, Ovelar was once again elected by his peers to the presidency of the Senate, office he currently holds.
References
- "Ovelar y su familia política le cuestan G. 2.600 millones anuales al Estado - Nacionales - ABC Color". www.abc.com.py (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-04-19.
- "Esposa de senador Ovelar pasó de directora a coordinadora en Itaipú - Nacionales - ABC Color". www.abc.com.py (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-04-19.
- "Ciudadanía quedó indignada tras expresiones de Silvio Ovelar por el caso de su hijo". Última Hora (in Spanish). 2023-12-20. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
- Ovelar's congressional profile (2004-2008).
- "Beto Ovelar es nuevo presidente del Senado". www.rdn.com.py (in Spanish). 2018-06-30. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
- Vicesar, Brian (2023-05-01). "Diario HOY | El senador más votado: "ABC y Telefuturo jugaron a muerte contra la ANR"". Diario HOY (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-04-19.