Paraguay presidential candidate Cubas arrested after post-election protests

Paraguayo Cubas, who placed third in Paraguay's presidential elections last week, talks to police officers after his arrest, in Asuncion, Paraguay, May 5, 2023. REUTERS/Cesar Olmedo

Paraguayo Cubas, who placed third in Paraguay's presidential elections, has been arrested following post-election protests, authorities said on Friday.

Cubas led protests to dispute Sunday's election results and call for a recount, though international organizations said there was no reason to doubt the integrity of the vote.

Cubas has been charged with "disrupting the peace" and other crimes, according to an arrest warrant issued by the attorney general's office.

Police stand guard outside the police station where Paraguayo Cubas (not pictured), who placed third in Paraguay's presidential elections last week, was taken after his arrest, in Asuncion, Paraguay, May 5, 2023. REUTERS/Cesar Olmedo

A political figure from the country's eastern region who calls himself an anarchist, Cubas pulled in a surprising 23% of the vote, coming behind victor Santiago Pena and second-place Efrain Alegre.

He was detained in the last leg of a planned trip to Asuncion to protest the elections at an electoral court.

"As you can see, I'm being arrested," Cubas said in a video posted to social media. "All the criminals in this country should be handcuffed like Paraguayo Cubas," he added as he got into a patrol car.

Police stand guard at the police station where Paraguayo Cubas (not pictured), who placed third in Paraguay's presidential elections last week, was taken after his arrest, in Asuncion, Paraguay, May 5, 2023. REUTERS/Cesar Olmedo

Late Monday, Cubas' supporters blocked roads in the capital and parts of the country's east and clashed with police outside of an electoral court. Cubas had announced plans for renewed protests after his arrival in the capital.

(Reporting by Daniela Desantis; Writing by Kylie Madry; Editing by Brendan O'Boyle)