AGP Executive Report

World Cup Politics: FIFA’s 2030 World Cup is set for Spain, Portugal and Morocco, but the big fight is over where the final will be—Spain pushes for the Bernabéu or Camp Nou, while Morocco’s Fouzi Lekjaa insists on Casablanca’s new Hassan II Stadium, with FIFA still yet to confirm the host city. Paraguay Football & Friendlies: Paraguay’s Gustavo Alfaro named a 28-man squad for friendlies vs Bolivia (Washington, Sept. 27) and Colombia (New Jersey, Oct. 2), starting a new post-World Cup phase ahead of the 2030 campaign. Asunción Culture & Youth: Senatur launched “Guardianes del Patrimonio,” a Minecraft Education contest where students recreate Asunción’s historic centre, with training and guided tours running until Nov. 6. Energy & Business in Asunción: Energías Paraguay 2026 opens Oct. 1 at the Mariscal Convention Centre, with free registration, bringing fuel, renewables and tech players to discuss how the sector is changing. Transport & Travel: Budget airline Paranair will pause all flights for two weeks (Sept. 30–Oct. 12) for maintenance, offering rebooking and refunds.

Paraguay Football: Gustavo Alfaro named a 28-man Albirroja squad for friendlies vs Bolivia (Washington D.C., Sept. 27) and Colombia (New Jersey, Oct. 2), starting a new phase after renewing his contract to 2030. Energy & Business: Asunción hosts Energías Paraguay 2026 – Foro & Expo B2B on Oct. 1, with free registration, focusing on fuels, biofuels, electricity, renewables, and payment systems. Youth & Culture: Senatur’s “Guardianes del Patrimonio” launches a Minecraft Education contest for students (ages 7-18) to recreate Asunción’s historic centre, running until Nov. 6. Sports (U20): Paraguay won South American Games football gold in Santa Fe, beating Argentina 5-4 on penalties after a 0-0 draw. Crime & Security: Operation Aurelia uncovered an international gold trafficking route moving high-purity gold via Paraguay and Panama toward Turkey; four arrests and raids in Asunción area. Environment: Yacyretá warns El Niño rains could double Paraná River inflows, though it may not automatically boost electricity generation. International: The U.S. urged Paraguay to increase beef sales to curb rising prices.

Paraguay Crime Probe: Authorities launched Operation Aurelia, raiding nine sites in Asunción and nearby cities, arresting four people and seizing about 22 kg of highly pure gold believed to have moved from illegal Brazilian mining through Paraguay and Panama toward Turkey. Climate & Energy Watch: Yacyretá says El Niño rains could double Paraná River inflows versus historical averages, though that may not automatically boost electricity generation. Trade & Food Prices: The U.S. asked Paraguay to increase beef shipments to help curb rising prices, while noting Paraguay lacks the specific quota Argentina secured. Investment in Forestry: JP Morgan Natural Capital and Paraguay announced a $200M sustainable forestry push, including native restoration and carbon-market revenue streams. Sports (Youth): Paraguay beat Argentina U19 on penalties to win gold at the South American Games final in Rosario. Culture & Community: Cateura’s Recycled Orchestra is touring the Bay Area, turning landfill trash into instruments and opportunity for kids. Regional Diplomacy: Paraguay backed Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara and urged UN action on Taiwan’s inclusion.

Trade & Investment: Brazil enacted the Mercosur–EFTA free trade deal, with legal effect set for Oct. 1, 2026, aiming to cut technical barriers and speed customs while expanding procurement, IP and sustainability commitments. Public Safety & Crime: Paraguay says it uncovered “Operation Aurelia,” an international gold trafficking network moving near-pure gold via Paraguay and Panama toward Turkey; raids in Asunción and nearby cities led to four arrests and major seizures. Food Prices & Beef: The U.S. urged Paraguay to boost beef shipments to help curb rising prices, noting no fixed quota yet—unlike Argentina’s 80,000-ton deal. Sustainable Forestry: JP Morgan Natural Capital and Paraguay announced a $200M sustainable forestry platform, including native restoration and carbon-market revenue streams. Diplomacy: Paraguay’s president backed Taiwan’s UN inclusion, calling the island’s exclusion “a stain,” while also pushing broader regional ties. Sports (Local angle): Paraguay’s U-19 team faces Argentina in the South American Games final in Rosario after both sides advanced with narrow wins.

UN Spotlight on Israel: Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in New York for a brief UN General Assembly address amid widespread condemnation over Gaza and West Bank settlements, with many attendees walking out and no meeting planned with U.S. President Donald Trump. Diplomatic Tensions: Netanyahu’s schedule includes talks with leaders including Paraguay’s president, but the lack of top-level U.S. engagement underscores strained ties ahead of Israel’s Oct. 27 election. Paraguay in the Mix: Paraguay appears in Netanyahu’s meeting list, while Abbas addressed the UN by video after U.S. visa denials. Regional Security Push: Guyana joined a U.S.-led “Shield of the Americas” effort, backing coordinated sanctions and financial crackdowns on narco-terrorist networks across the hemisphere. Local Relevance: A Paraguayan defense delegation visited Massachusetts to deepen a long-running cyber and security partnership. Digital Rights: Operation LUMEN targets stream-ripping and malware domains, with Paraguay’s DINAPI among participating agencies.

UN Diplomacy: Paraguay’s President Santiago Peña urged a “democratic transition” for Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Haiti, and told the UN General Assembly Paraguay is “not neutral” on Taiwan—warning a cross-strait conflict could reshape global chip supply. Taiwan at the UN: Peña, alongside Eswatini and Palau, pushed for Taiwan’s full and meaningful UN inclusion, calling exclusion “a stain.” Regional Security: The “Shield of the Americas” coalition—signed by the US and 14 countries including Paraguay—announced the first coordinated sanctions action against 24 narco-terrorist groups, with asset freezes and visa restrictions. Trade & Travel: Paraguay and Saudi Arabia signed a mutual visa exemption deal for holders of diplomatic and special passports. Local Economy & Tourism: Minor Hotels and Paraguay’s Grupo Petra agreed to develop and manage a new 116-room NH hotel in Asunción. Tech & Piracy Crackdown: Operation LUMEN led by Peru blocked 317 stream-ripping and malware-linked sites, including domains blocked in Paraguay. Sports: Jurgen Klopp begins his Germany era with a Nations League opener vs the Netherlands in Amsterdam.

UN Diplomacy: Paraguay’s President Santiago Peña told the UN General Assembly his country “is not neutral” on the Taiwan Strait, backing Taiwan’s “full and meaningful participation” and warning that a conflict could disrupt global chip supplies. Visa Deal: Saudi Arabia and Paraguay signed a mutual visa exemption agreement for holders of diplomatic and special passports, signed in New York during UNGA week. Regional Security: Paraguay is part of the US-led “Shield of the Americas” coalition, where governments agreed on coordinated measures—asset freezes, visa restrictions and criminal liability—targeting 24 narco-terrorist groups. Mercosur Politics: Peña also called for Venezuela’s reintegration into Mercosur after Venezuela’s indefinite suspension. Asunción Economy & Life: Asunción ranked among the world’s fastest-growing digital nomad cities, with a reported 40% rise in arrivals over nine months, and a new homestay program is set to connect international Spanish students with local families in Villa Morra.

Shield of the Americas: Paraguay is among 15 countries backing a US-led push to sanction 24 “narco-terrorist” groups, with plans for asset freezes plus immigration and visa restrictions, agreed during a UN General Assembly meeting in New York. Diplomacy: Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodríguez said she held a “historic meeting” with Donald Trump, discussing cooperation in energy, mining and security, while Paraguay and Venezuela move to relaunch ties. Local Labor: Paraguayan health workers protested at the Ministry of Public Health demanding a 50% wage increase and a clearer healthcare career path for about 45,000 staff. Tourism & Environment: Paraguay and Argentina’s Corrientes advanced a joint agenda to boost tourism and promote the Esteros del Iberá, including new multi-language promotion plans. Business & Investment: A UK low-carbon fertilizer firm says it will seek international arbitration against Paraguay over a $665M renewable-power project, citing a bilateral investment treaty dispute. Sports (Paraguay): Joshua Dürksen became the first Paraguayan to test in a Formula 1 car, driving a Mercedes W16 E Performance in Portugal.

Diplomacy: Turkey’s Erdoğan used the UN General Assembly podium to denounce the US visa denial that kept Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas from attending in person, while Israel’s delegation walked out as Erdoğan spoke. Paraguay-Venezuela ties: Paraguay’s Santiago Peña met Venezuela’s Delcy Rodríguez in Caracas to relaunch bilateral diplomatic and consular relations, agreeing on a shared agenda on trade, energy, consular support and fighting transnational organized crime. Security crackdown: “Operation ATLAS NEXUS” dismantled dozens of criminal networks across Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe, with 490+ arrests and major drug, weapons and document-fraud seizures. Culture & community: Paraguayan artisan Elena Iwatani donated 1,000 ñandutí instructional books to schools and libraries, helping preserve the traditional lace craft. Food: Asunción’s vori vori was again named the world’s best soup by TasteAtlas, extending its top ranking streak. Youth: Paraguay’s youth face gaps in education, poverty and health coverage, with INE data highlighting the scale of the challenge.

HIV Prevention Access: PAHO and Gilead expand access to long-acting lenacapavir PrEP, with Paraguay among 14 countries able to procure through regional funds. Digital Policy & AI: Paraguay’s MODA deputy minister Isabel Hou spoke at the Taiwan-Paraguay Technology Forum on AI governance and skills, while a study of Paraguayan university students urges critical, responsible AI use in education. Diplomacy Reset: Venezuela’s Delcy Rodríguez met Paraguay President Santiago Peña in Caracas to relaunch bilateral ties, focusing on trade, energy, consular help, and fighting organized crime. Security Cooperation: Operation ATLAS NEXUS dismantled dozens of transnational criminal networks across multiple regions, with Paraguay among the countries involved. Economy & Jobs: Paraguay’s maquila sector has topped US$1 billion in cumulative exports for 2026 and created 40,000 jobs. Local Culture: Asunción’s Kaffe’i ranks among South America’s 100 best coffee shops for a second straight year. Sports: Paraguay’s Mauro Coronel draws European interest as he nears a contract decision with Club Nacional.

Paraguay–Venezuela Diplomacy: President Santiago Peña’s working visit to Caracas kicked off a “new phase” in ties, with both governments pledging stronger dialogue, respect for sovereignty, and renewed trade and cooperation mechanisms. Paraguayan Economy: Paraguay’s maquila sector has crossed US$1 billion in cumulative exports in 2026, up 26% year-to-date, and supports about 40,000 jobs, with Brazil and Mercosur leading demand. Justice & Families: Paraguay’s judicial authorities transferred decades-old international adoption records to Asunción’s Museo de la Justicia, helping adopted adults trace origins; the files were digitized and preserved after being found in a judge’s office. Education & AI: A study of Paraguayan university students says many see AI as a powerful information tool, pushing schools to teach critical judgment—not just answers. Culture & Arts: Asunción hosted the Premios Edda de los Ríos theatre awards, where “Barrunto” led with three prizes. Global Watch: Switzerland halted Brazilian meat imports over antibiotic-use compliance concerns, and a UN-backed push calls for renewing Venezuela’s fact-finding mission.

Diplomacy Reset: Paraguay’s President Santiago Peña wrapped up a working visit to Venezuela and both governments signed a joint statement to begin a “new phase” in relations, based on mutual respect, open dialogue, sovereignty and international law, with trade and technical cooperation on the agenda. Consular & Energy Talks: The rapprochement also leaves outstanding issues like Paraguay’s oil debt to PDVSA unresolved, even as institutional contacts and consular ties are set to be gradually restored. Humanitarian Aid Link: The UAE dispatched $10 million in earthquake relief to Colombia, with supplies procured from Paraguay and shipped via regional logistics—Paraguay’s foreign minister praised the coordination. City Watch: Asunción climbed 22 places in the Global Cities Index 2026, ranking 446th worldwide and 17th in South America. Heritage Update: Restoration of San Blas Cathedral in Ciudad del Este began after the February fire, with safety upgrades and a planned reopening in February 2027. Culture & Events: Extreme metal band Carcass announced its first Paraguay show in Asunción on 30 Nov 2026.

Paraguay–Venezuela Diplomacy: President Santiago Peña’s working visit to Caracas kicked off a “new phase” in ties, with a joint statement calling for open dialogue, sovereignty and renewed cooperation, while the long-running PDVSA oil debt issue remains unresolved. Humanitarian Aid: The UAE, working with Paraguay, dispatched relief supplies to Colombia after the earthquake, using Paraguay’s production and logistics to speed delivery. Asunción City Watch: Asunción climbed 22 spots in the Global Cities Index 2026, ranking 446th worldwide and 17th in South America, according to Oxford Economics. Restoration in Ciudad del Este: San Blas Cathedral restoration began after a February fire, with new safety systems and a planned reopening on 3 February 2027. Culture & Arts: Emerging director Enzo Szarán (22) presents a new theatre-music-dance work in Asunción, while Aché craft traditions were honored as Living National Treasures. Sports: Paraguay’s U-15 futsal team and other youth results kept the spotlight on local football development.

Paraguay–Venezuela Diplomacy: President Santiago Peña arrived in Caracas for talks with acting President Delcy Rodríguez, aiming to restore diplomatic and consular ties after Paraguay cut relations in 2019; the leaders signed a joint statement covering trade, consular services and outstanding energy/financial issues. Local Politics & Society: Paraguay’s teachers staged a strike demanding higher salaries and a better education budget. Sports (Asunción/Paraguay): Paraguay’s Vinotinto Women’s U-15 won the CONMEBOL Evolution League title on home soil, beating Venezuela on penalties after a 0-0 draw. International Spotlight: The UN General Assembly rebuked the Trump administration over visa denials affecting Palestinian officials, with Abbas allowed to attend virtually. Culture: Paraguay’s National Secretariat of Culture named three Aché women from Alto Paraná as “Living National Treasures” for preserving basketry and traditional knowledge. Security: A security guard was killed in Ilocos Sur, Philippines, after a shooting; the suspect later surrendered.

Diplomacy: Paraguay’s new Ambassador Estefanía Laterza de los Ríos presented her credentials to US President Donald Trump, pledging deeper cooperation on democracy, economic ties and security. Sports (Paraguay): Team Paraguay hit 20 medals at the Santa Fe 2026 South American Games after three more golds, including wins in artistic skating, rowing and golf. Culture (Paraguay): Three Aché women from eastern Paraguay were named “Living National Treasures” for preserving basketry and traditional knowledge. Asunción events: Punk rock fans in Asunción are gearing up for Michale Graves’ concert at Vöudevil Venue on Sept. 20. Local interest: A shooting in Ilocos Sur (reported as “Asuncion” in the feed) left a security guard dead; the suspected gunman later surrendered. Global travel/visas: New Zealand published a list of 25 countries eligible for visa-free transit via Auckland, but travelers still need an NZeTA.

Paraguay in the spotlight: A new solo art exhibition, El Jardín de Beatriz, opened in Asunción with free admission, exploring nature and memory through paintings, silk pieces and installation. Sports, local pride: Cerro Porteño’s futsal team extended its dominance, winning the national title for the 11th straight year and securing a spot in the 2027 Copa Libertadores de Futsal. Culture & community: Asunción’s World Skate Games ASU26 medals will be inspired by the city’s Galoperas tradition, linking folk dance spins to the event’s global stage. Regional politics: The UN General Assembly backed a resolution urging the US to reverse visa restrictions blocking Palestinian officials from attending in person; India voted in favour, while the US, Israel and Paraguay voted against. Health & biotech: mAbxience and Sandoz announced a collaboration to develop an emicizumab biosimilar for haemophilia A, with mAbxience handling development and manufacturing and Sandoz leading global commercialization.