Conservative former senator Mario Abdo Benítez has been elected president of Paraguay on Sunday, April 24, 2018 and will beginning a five-year term on August 15. The Colorado Party has led Paraguay with only a few interruptions since 1947.

Mario Abdo Benítez, a 46-year-old marketing expert, campaigned on a promise to continue the business-friendly policies of outgoing President Horacio Cartes who won a Senate seat in Sunday’s vote. He promise in particular to retain low tax policies and boost agricultural exports.