
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Sillva seized his speech Monday during the 64th Southern Common Market's Summit in Asunción to underline his Argentine colleague Javier Milei's absence without mentioning him explicitly.

Minutes before passing Mercosur's rotating presidency to Uruguay's Luis Lacalle Pou, Paraguayan head of state Santiago Peña pointed out Monday that during his 6-month tenure achievements had been made, albeit amid painful setbacks that have existed since the alliance was created. In addition, the Colorado ruler once again underlined the importance of fighting corruption and drug trafficking.

Paraguayan President Santiago Peña admitted that the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) was not going through the best of times as he prepared to host the bloc's Summit in Asunción Monday during which he is to hand over the grou's rotating presidency to Uruguay's Luis Lacalle Pou.

Paraguayan President Santiago Peña said in his briefing to the new Legislature Monday that he envisioned a State that is present, efficient, sensitive, and has a human face. He also mentioned a State that builds the country towards which we want to go: a Paraguay that grows sustainably, that offers a quality of life and equal opportunities, and that projects itself internationally to be a protagonist in the concert of nations.

As all attendees were focused on the ongoing crisis unfolding in Bolivia, Paraguayan President Santiago Peña opened the Organization of American States (OAS) 54th General Assembly in Asunción by highlighting that democracy was the way to fight transnational crime, drug trafficking, and terrorism.

Next month, from Thursday, July 4th to 8th, the Mercosur pro tempore presidency will be handed by Paraguay to Uruguay, at the capital Asunción during the regional presidential summit. On the occasion, Paraguayan president Santiago Peña will be giving the Mercosur presidency to Uruguay's Luis Lacalle Pou. Still, it will be interesting to see how leaders of the two major members, Argentina's ultra-liberal Javier Milei and Brazil's populist Lula da Silva, who are not on talking terms, will approach circumstances if they effectively attend the summit.

Paraguay's latest achievements as a top Latin American destination for foreign investments have been highlighted by One World Media. The outlet praised the South American country's macroeconomic and political stability coupled with its natural resources, strategic position, and gender equality regulations.

Presidents Santiago Peña of Paraguay and Xiomara Castro of Honduras, who also chair the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) respectively, got together while in San Salvador during Nayib Bukele's new inauguration as President of El Salvador to discuss issues related to how to promote a joint agenda, it was reported.

Conservative Presidents Luis Lacalle Pou of Uruguay and Santiago Peña of Paraguay are to join their hosting colleague Javier Milei on July 28 in Buenos Aires for the annual International Livestock, Agriculture, and Industry Exhibition, also known as the Rural Fair, it was announced.

Paraguayan Justice Minister Ángel Ramón Barchini turned in his resignation at President Santiago Perña's request, it was reported Thursday in Asunción. According to local media, Deputy Criminal Policy Minister Rodrigo Nicora will take over Barchini's position on an interim basis.