A thorough reform of the judiciary was begun in 1995, and similar reforms of antiquated criminal and criminal procedure codes are planned for 1996. Paraguay provided only modest anti-narcotics cooperation to the U.S. through the first nine months of the year. Paraguayan law enforcement agencies still do not focus their efforts on major drug traffickers and organizations which operate primarily in the border region. In 1995 there were 237 drug-related arrests. In December the GOP commenced a campaign to close clandestine airstrips near the Brazilian border, and also created interagency task forces on cross-border security issues and monetary flows.
Public corruption remains a problem.
Judicial reforms initiated in 1995 ultimately should result in prosecutions of corrupt officials, however, effective measures to prevent and punish public corruption in general, or specifically with respect to narcotrafficking, are not yet in place. Law 1340 of 1988 subjects public functionaries that engage in narcotics-related offenses to the maximum applicable penalties. No government officials were convicted for narcotics-related offenses in 1995, although a senior regional customs official was arrested. As a matter of government policy, Paraguay does not encourage or facilitate illicit production or distribution of narcotic or psychotropic drugs or other controlled substances, or the laundering of proceeds from illegal drug transactions. Several senior government and military officials are suspected of engaging in, encouraging, or facilitating the illicit production or distribution of such drugs or substances, or the laundering of proceeds from illegal drug transactions.