Luis María Benítez Riera has been unanimously chosen as the new Chief Justice of Paraguay’s Supreme Court to replace outgoing Justice César Diesel Junghanns, whilst Justice Gustavo Santander Dans was elected as Deputy Chief Justice by a majority vote, and Alberto Martínez Simón will be third in line also after a unanimous decision.
It will be Benítez Riera’s second term after also holding that yearly office in 2011. He joined Paraguay’s Judiciary in 1979 and has also served as a criminal judge before being appointed to the Supreme Court.
After his election, Benítez Riera congratulated the incumbent for his work, particularly regarding his relationship with the other branches of government. The new Chief Justice also pledged to continue on the path of strengthening the judicial system, with the implementation of new technologies and electronic files to cut down bureaucratic delays.
Benítez Riera holds a law degree from the Universidad Católica Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, as well as notary public degrees from the Universidad Nacional de Asunción, in addition to a Ph.D. in Juridical Sciences from the Universidad Nacional de Asunción. His thesis, entitled “Money laundering. Towards the creation of an updated legislation to combat it in the Republic of Paraguay”, was awarded Summa Cum Laude honors.
He is due to be sworn into office on 26th February.
