| Silvio Ovelar | |
| Birth Name: | Silvio Adalberto Ovelar Benítez |
| Birth Date: | 20 November 1967 |
| Birth Place: | Coronel Oviedo, Caaguazú, Paraguay |
| Spouse: | Iris Magnolia Mendoza |
| Children: | 3 |
| Office: | Senator of Paraguay |
| Term Start: | 5 August 2004 |
| Office2: | President of the Senate of Paraguay |
| Termstart2: | 30 June 2023 |
| President2: | Mario Abdo Benítez Santiago Peña |
| Predecessor2: | Oscar Salomón |
| Termstart3: | 30 June 2018 |
| Termend3: | 30 June 2019 |
| President3: | Horacio Cartes Mario Abdo Benítez |
| Predecessor3: | Fernando Lugo |
| Successor3: | Blas Llano |
| Office4: | Executive Minister-Secretary of Social Action |
| Termstart4: | 15 August 2003 |
| Termend4: | 3 August 2004 |
| President4: | Nicanor Duarte |
| Predecessor4: | Aurelio Varela |
| Successor4: | María Ester Jiménez |
| Office5: | Governor of Caaguazú |
| Termstart5: | 15 August 1998 |
| Termend5: | 15 August 2003 |
| Predecessor5: | Mario Soto |
| Successor5: | Enzo Vera |
| Education: | Catholic University of Asunción (BA) |
| Party: | Colorado |
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.
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.[1]
Ovelar has three children and is currently married to Iris Magnolia Mendoza, a lawyer.[2] His son with his ex-wife Lidia Alicia Ayala, Alejandro, has been the subject of controversy, being accused of benefiting from nepotism.[3]
Ovelar studied political science at the Catholic University of Asunción. He also studied law there, but did not graduate.
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.
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.[4] 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.[5] 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.[6]