All articles tagged with #paraguay
The article highlights the five smallest countries to have ever qualified for the FIFA World Cup, including Cape Verde, Iceland, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago, and Northern Ireland, with details on their populations and World Cup histories.
Paraguayan President Santiago Peña reaffirmed his country's strong commitment to maintaining its 68-year diplomatic relationship with Taiwan, emphasizing it as a strategic and values-based alliance, despite pressure from China and internal debates about switching recognition. Peña's stance highlights Paraguay's dedication to democratic principles and sovereignty, with the relationship remaining politically sensitive in the region.
Paraguay has expelled Chinese envoy Xu Wei for urging the country to sever ties with Taiwan, declaring him persona non grata for interfering in domestic affairs. Xu, attending a Unesco meeting, skipped the session to address Paraguay's congress, advocating for a diplomatic shift to China, which claims Taiwan as its territory. Paraguay remains one of the few countries recognizing Taiwan, despite China's growing influence in Latin America. The incident highlights ongoing tensions over Taiwan's international recognition.
Authorities in Paraguay have made the largest cocaine seizure in the country's history, discovering over 4 tons of the drug hidden in a sugar shipment bound for Belgium. The operation, code-named "Operation Sweetness," is part of ongoing efforts to combat the country's role as a key drug trafficking hub. The bust, valued at approximately $240 million, aims to deter organized crime and improve port security.
Paraguay's anti-drug agency seized over 4 tons of cocaine hidden in sugar sacks destined for Belgium, with a street value of approximately €220 million. President Santiago Pena emphasized that the bust, part of "Operation Sweetness," aims to deter smugglers from using Paraguay as a transit point. The seizure highlights the increasing significance of Latin American routes to Europe, where ports like Antwerp and Rotterdam frequently intercept large cocaine shipments.
Paraguay has made its largest cocaine seizure ever, discovering over 4 tons of the drug hidden in a sugar shipment bound for Belgium. Dubbed "Operation Sweetness," the bust is valued at approximately $240 million and highlights Paraguay's growing role as a drug trafficking hub. Authorities hope the seizure will deter organized crime and are committed to enhancing port security.
The Paraguayan border town of Nanawa has turned into a ghost town due to Argentina's near 300% inflation and a propped-up peso, which has made Argentine imports significantly more expensive. This has led to a sharp decline in sales, with shopkeepers reporting a 60-80% drop since President Javier Milei took office and devalued the peso. The economic situation has also affected tourism and exports, making Argentina less competitive in the region.
A senior Paraguayan official, Arnaldo Chamorro, was fired from his position as chief of staff to the agriculture minister after signing a cooperation memorandum with officials from a fictitious country called the "United States of Kailasa." Chamorro admitted to being fooled by the fake officials who presented themselves as representatives of a South American island. The memorandum, which included the ministry's letterhead and official seal, recommended the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two "countries." The agriculture ministry stated that the memorandum was not official and did not confer any obligations on Paraguay.
The Biden administration is facing criticism for allowing the importation of fresh beef from Paraguay, a country with a history of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) and other industry groups argue that the decision is based on outdated risk assessments and could pose a significant threat to the U.S. cattle industry and economy. They claim that Paraguay's inspection system may not provide an equivalent level of safety to prevent an FMD outbreak on U.S. soil. The groups are urging the USDA to prioritize safety and reconsider the decision to allow beef imports from Paraguay.
A 33-year-old mother of two in Paraguay went to the hospital with severe stomach pains, unaware that she was pregnant. Doctors discovered she was in labor and she quickly gave birth to a healthy baby girl. The woman had no idea she was pregnant, as she had experienced no typical pregnancy symptoms and had been on birth control. This rare occurrence, known as a cryptic pregnancy, happens to an estimated one in 400 or 500 women.
Lionel Messi came off the bench in the second half as Argentina defeated Paraguay 1-0 in a World Cup qualifying match. Messi, who is recovering from a leg injury, provided a spark for Argentina, creating chances and hitting the post with a free kick. The victory extends Argentina's impressive unbeaten streak to one loss in their last 50 games. Messi's participation in the match had been in doubt, but he expressed his happiness to be playing again and plans to add more training sessions ahead of their next game.
Lionel Messi's status for Argentina's upcoming World Cup qualifier against Paraguay remains uncertain as coach Lionel Scaloni stated that Messi's comfort and fitness will be assessed before making a decision. Argentina has won their previous two qualifiers, while Paraguay has one draw and one loss. The match will take place on Thursday in Buenos Aires and can be watched on Universo or streamed on FuboTV. Messi recently played for Inter Miami in MLS but has been limited in action.
The 2030 World Cup will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with the opening matches held in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay to commemorate the tournament's centenary. The rest of the tournament will take place in north Africa and Europe. The hosting arrangement is pending formal approval by FIFA's congress. Additionally, Saudi Arabia is now a strong contender to host the 2034 World Cup, as bids from the Asian Football Confederation and the Oceania Football Confederation will be considered, and Saudi Arabia is the overwhelming favorite.
Santiago Pena, Paraguay's new president, faces a challenging balancing act as he takes office, needing to navigate ties with Taiwan that have hurt local farmers' exports to China, pressure from farmers, rising crime, and a U.S. probe into his political mentor. Pena, an economist from the conservative Colorado party, aims to address security concerns, tame prices, ensure access to healthcare, and encourage private enterprise. He also plans to create 500,000 new jobs in five years to boost the country's farm-driven economy. Critics question his political experience and view him as a puppet for his mentor, former President Horacio Cartes.
Taiwan's vice president, William Lai, has embarked on a trip to Paraguay to strengthen relations with the country, which is Taiwan's last remaining diplomatic partner in South America. This comes as China intensifies efforts to isolate Taiwan, claiming it as part of its territory. Lai's trip includes stops in San Francisco and New York City, which Beijing criticized. Paraguay is one of the 12 governments that still maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but many have switched recognition to Beijing. Lai aims to showcase Taiwan's commitment to democracy, human rights, and international engagement during his visit.