Horacio Cartes, president of the ruling National Republican Association (ANR) – also known as Colorado Party - and former president of Paraguay (2013-2018), traveled to Israel on Monday at the invitation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to attend the March 26-27 International Conference on Combating Anti-Semitism.
Paraguay's National Animal Health and Quality Service (Senacsa) announced Wednesday the opening of Israel's market to sheep meat exports from the South American country, following approval of a slaughterhouse by Israel's Veterinary and Animal Health Service (IVSAH). This milestone is expected to boost sheep production and create economic opportunities, building on last year's record animal product exports to Israel worth US$ 147.6 million.
The US dollar is continuing to rise in Paraguay despite the Central Bank (BCP) selling US$ 216 million to local financial institutions to stabilize the currency. Experts predict the dollar could reach ₲ 8,000 in the first half of 2025, driven by international tensions and a weak soybean market.
Paraguay’s Vice President Pedro Alliana, from the National Republican Association (ANR-HC), placed himself under the spotlight Monday for failing to disclose campaign contributions from Long Jiang, a Chinese businessman and main shareholder of Kamamya SA, a company that was awarded the purchase of US$ 32 million worth of school desks for the Itaipú Binational Entity in a fudgy tender. Alliana’s flights coincided with meetings with ANR leader and former President Horacio Cartes with no official justification.
Paraguayan authorities took delivery of 20 electric buses donated by Taiwan as part of an initiative to modernize public transportation and promote sustainability. A second batch of 10 more buses is on its way, along with eight chargers to ensure operability, it was also reported in Asunción.
Singapore's Food Agency (SFA) concluded an audit of Paraguay's meat industry, focusing on animal health and food safety controls, in a move to open up to Paraguayan beef, pork, and poultry exports. The evaluation, conducted between March 3 and 11, involved inspections of meat processing plants and meetings with Senacsa (Paraguay's National Animal Health and Quality Service), as well as representatives from the beef, pork, and poultry sectors, including the Paraguayan Meat Chamber and Rural Association.
The Paraguayan Public Prosecutor's Office has filed charges against seven former officials from the administration of former President Mario Abdo Benítez (2018-2023), including three former ministers, for alleged crimes such as criminal association, usurpation of public office, false denunciation, and disclosure of secrets. The accused include former Interior Minister Arnaldo Giuzzio, former head of the National Anti-Corruption Secretariat René Fernández, and former official Carlos Arregui from the Secretariat for the Prevention of Money Laundering (Seprelad), among others.
Officials from the São Paulo football club Palmeiras said the South American Football Confederation's sanctions issued Sunday against Paraguay's Cerro Porteño following last week's racist incidents were “extremely lenient.”
Paraguay's Minister of Women Cynthia Figueredo urged the citizenry to keep working toward equity and justice during a ceremony leading up to Saturday's International Women's Day. She also underlined the power of women to transform society and called for collective action to build a more equal country.
Paraguay's Economy Minister Carlos Fernández forecast a difficult 2025 given the drought affecting agricultural production and thus driving prices upward. In this scenario, he underlined the need for innovative policies and constant review of institutional work as the Government of President Santiago Peña aims to provide necessary resources for health, education, security, and social transfers while improving public spending.