
Paraguay meat exports totaled 245 million US dollars in the first five months of the year, which represents a 25% decline compared to the same period a year ago (328 million US dollars), according to the latest official reports.

Paraguayan president Fernando Lugo is scheduled to arrive in Havana on Tuesday for a two-day visit to Cuba, making him the tenth Latinamerican leader, so far this year, to meet with Cuban president Raul Castro and possibly his ailing brother Fidel.

Differences between Brazil and Paraguay over the world’s largest operational hydroelectric dam, Itaipú, are a “political problem” and not an energy issue according to Marco Aurelio García, international affairs advisor to the Brazilian Executive.

Paraguay, Colombia and Bolivia have been confirmed to the list of countries declared free of foot and mouth disease with vaccination at the current World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) 77th session in Paris.

The world’s largest operational hydroelectric dam and how the energy produced should be distributed and traded will be at the heart of a debate Wednesday between Brazil’s main industrial organization, FIESP, and Paraguayan authorities, the two countries who share the giant power station.

Paraguayan president and former Catholic bishop Fernando Lugo described celibacy as an “imperfect issue” and said the paternity scandal in which he has been involved has not subtracted popular support, rather the contrary.

United States explicitly expressed support for Paraguayan president Fernando Lugo and his administration in response to some “instability” rumours which are “not positive” for the country.

Uruguayan president Tabare Vazquez is scheduled to visit Paraguay this week to participate in a new anniversary of the country’s independence and hold private talks with President Fernando Lugo.

Paraguay’s chances of a better deal from Brazil regarding the Itaipu Hydroelectric dam surplus power and its price are seen as “difficult” particularly because Brazil is approaching an electoral year, according to Asuncion press reports from journalists who accompanied President Fernando Lugo in his visit to Brasilia.

Brazil and Paraguay failed to come to an agreement on proposed renegotiation of accords related to the Itaipu hydroelectric facility and are scheduled to meet again in early June, according to Paraguay’s Executive spokesperson Ruben Penayo.