AGP Executive Report

Church Leadership: Pope Leo XIV appointed Bishop Gabriel Narciso Escobar Ayala as auxiliary bishop of Asunción, with a ministry rooted in the Paraguayan Chaco. Aviation & Trade: LATAM plans to expand Paraguay’s air links, including a new Asunción–Montevideo route launching in early 2027 and more flights to São Paulo and Lima. Sports—Football: Inter Miami signed Paraguayan midfielder Matías Galarza on loan from River Plate, with a purchase option tied to performance. Business & Innovation: Paraguay will host the 16th Customer Experience and Innovation Congress on Sept. 7–8 in Asunción, backed by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and focused on AI, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. Culture & Tourism: A guide highlights Paraguay’s best stargazing spots near Asunción, pointing to clear skies away from city light pollution.

Paraguay Football: Inter Miami has signed Paraguayan midfielder Matías Galarza on loan from River Plate, with a purchase option tied to performance, adding another local link to a squad featuring Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez. Business & Innovation: Paraguay will host the 16th Customer Experience and Innovation Congress on Sept. 7-8 in Asunción, with themes ranging from AI and cybersecurity to digital transformation and export support for SMEs. Education: UNESCO is preparing to release ERCE 2025 results, a major regional study that includes Paraguay and will shed light on learning outcomes across Latin America and the Caribbean. Trade & Agriculture: The EU has suspended imports of Brazilian beef, poultry, eggs, honey and other animal products over antimicrobial compliance concerns—an issue that could ripple through regional markets that Paraguay trades with. Regional Aviation: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay are moving toward a more open South American aviation market under ALAS, aiming to reduce route restrictions and boost connectivity.

EU Trade Shock: The EU’s suspension of Brazilian meat and honey imports took effect Thursday, citing antimicrobial rules; Brazil says it will challenge the move and an EU audit is under way, with Paraguay watching closely as Mercosur talks and quota fights continue. Paraguay in Sports Spotlight: Inter Miami signed Paraguayan midfielder Matías Galarza on loan from River Plate with a buy option, adding another La Albirroja name to Messi’s MLS roster. Regional Aviation Push: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay are moving toward a more open South American aviation market under ALAS, aiming for freer routes and competition. Local Business & Innovation: Paraguay will host the 16th Customer Experience and Innovation Congress in Asunción on Sept. 7–8, with MIC backing and a GUIDEX export platform for SMEs. Economy Watch: The peso hit a fresh record low as inflation eased, lifting regional market sentiment.

Paraguay–Israel Diplomacy: Paraguay’s ambassador to Israel renewed efforts to deepen ties, including on beef and tourism links, as countries in the region keep aligning with Jerusalem. MERCOSUR Trade: MERCOSUR ministers wrapped up in Montevideo without consensus on EU export quotas; Paraguay pushed for an even 25% share for each full member, setting up another meeting in 45–60 days. EU Meat Pressure: The EU moved to suspend Brazilian animal-product imports over antibiotic concerns, a move that could ripple across regional beef suppliers including Paraguay. Football (Paraguayan talent): Inter Miami signed Paraguayan midfielder Matías Galarza on loan from River Plate with a buy option. Yerba Mate Push: Paraguay launched a campaign to expand yerba mate into Türkiye and target Azerbaijan and the wider Middle East/Caucasus. Sports (Paraguay on the pitch): Japan, Brazil, Paraguay and Singapore will meet in Singapore’s “Mizuho Blue Challenge” in November, with Paraguay facing Singapore on Nov. 13. Rally Paraguay: WRC Paraguay continues to draw attention after a major crash forced stage cancellations, with drivers praising safety response.

Inter Miami Deal: Paraguayan midfielder Matías Galarza has joined Inter Miami on loan from River Plate through the end of the 2026 MLS season, with a buy option, pending his ITC and visa—another Paraguay-to-US football pathway after his World Cup run. Football Friendlies: Paraguay will face Singapore in November’s “Mizuho Blue Challenge” at Singapore’s National Stadium, with Japan and Brazil also in the four-team lineup. Sports Spotlight: Triathlete Victoria Arce won silver at the Americas Triathlon Junior Cup in Peru and now targets the World Championships and Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. Trade & Diplomacy: Paraguay is pushing a yerba mate expansion campaign into Türkiye, with ambitions to reach Azerbaijan and the wider Middle East/Caucasus. Culture & Heritage: Paraguay marked the legacy of Jesuit astronomer Father Buenaventura Suárez, remembered for Southern Hemisphere sky observations and scientific work far from Europe. Local Economy Note: The peso story in the wider region continues to dominate markets, with fresh record lows reported in the Philippines.

Paraguay Diplomacy & Trade: Paraguay’s ambassador to Israel, Alejandro Rubin Cymerman, says Paraguayan beef exports to Israel rebounded to $220m in 2025 and could reach about $300m in 2026, after flag-spotting visits helped boost visibility for buyers. National Budget: Paraguay’s Economy Minister Oscar Lovera presented a proposed 2027 national budget of ₲166.3 trillion (about US$27.7bn), with major allocations for health (₲18.2tn), education (₲10.4tn) and social programmes (₲65bn). Sports (Football): Paraguay is set to face Singapore in November’s “Mizuho Blue Challenge” at Singapore’s National Stadium, with Brazil and Japan also in the four-team lineup. Culture & Community: Asunción’s City Symphony Orchestra will hold a free concert on Sept. 3 featuring Beethoven, Grieg and Bernstein, with guest conductor Leon Burke III and pianist Nicole Kennedy López. Motorsport (Rally Paraguay): Indian duo Naveen Puligilla and Musa Sherif secured a third straight WRC3 podium, finishing third in the Rally del Paraguay.

National Budget: Paraguay’s Economy Minister Oscar Lovera presented a proposed ₲166.3 trillion (about US$27.7 billion) 2027 national budget to Congress, up 11.5% from 2026, with major funding for health (₲18.2T), education (₲10.4T), social programs for vulnerable children, and infrastructure plus debt coverage. Diplomacy & Trade: Paraguay’s ambassador to Israel, Alejandro Rubin, says Paraguayan beef exports hit $220M in 2025 and could reach about $300M in 2026, while pushing broader ties beyond trade, including water cooperation and education. Health & Labor: Paraguay’s doctors’ union leader Rossana González defended her Cuban medical training amid attacks on social media, rejecting claims it ties her to the Cuban regime as she leads a public-sector doctors’ strike. Culture & Community: Asunción’s Symphony Orchestra will hold a free 3 September concert at Teatro Municipal Ignacio A. Pane, featuring Beethoven, Grieg, and Bernstein, with Paraguayan pianist Nicole Kennedy López. Film Spotlight: Paraguay’s homegrown comedy “Timoteo: El Loro Que Se Volvió Santo” opens 3 September, set in an Asunción neighborhood and centered on faith, friendship, and a parrot. Sports: Paraguay’s WRC momentum continues with Indian duo Naveen Puligilla and Musa Sherif taking a WRC3 podium hat-trick at Rally del Paraguay.

Currency Watch: The Paraguayan audience may feel the ripple effects of the region’s dollar strength as the Philippine peso slid to a fresh record low of 62.4 per US dollar, driven by a firmer greenback, higher oil prices, and expectations of tighter US policy. Sports & Identity: Germany’s Antonio Rüdiger officially retired from international football after 86 caps, with his final Germany appearance coming in the 2026 World Cup loss to Paraguay. Paraguay Politics: Paraguay’s Senate advanced a bill to establish a National Evangelical Church Day, set for the last Sunday of October, not a public holiday. Human Rights: A report on trans women in Paraguayan prisons says detainees faced violence, discrimination, and “insufficient” healthcare, with protocols not being followed. Local Culture: A historic Asunción-era arts venue, El Campanil Theatre, is set to be sold to a church group, with the deal closing Sept. 29.

Local Lawmaking: Paraguay’s Senate approved a bill establishing a National Evangelical Church Day, to be observed on the last Sunday of October (not a public holiday), aiming to recognize the community’s historical, cultural, social, educational, humanitarian and spiritual contributions. Sports—Rally Paraguay: Paraguay’s rally scene keeps making headlines: the FIA WRC Rally del Paraguay drew major international attention, with President Santiago Peña and FIA chief Mohammed Ben Sulayem celebrating motorsport’s growth in the country. Sports—Beach Soccer: Paraguay’s U20 beach soccer team, Los Pynandi, defended the South American title with a 5-0 win over Brazil in Lima, finishing undefeated. Sports—WRC Milestone: Encarnación’s Rally del Paraguay also delivered a historic moment for Andrea Lafarja, the first Paraguayan woman to reach a World Rally Championship podium on home soil. International Spotlight: Paraguay’s ambassador to Israel pushed to boost tourism and beef visibility, citing $220M in beef exports to Israel in 2025 and a forecast near $300M for 2026.

Doctors’ Health Strike: More than 300 Paraguayan doctors submitted resignations in support of a week-old public health strike, arguing pay is too low and demanding the government respond; the Health Ministry said collective resignations won’t be accepted. Evangelical Church Day: Paraguay’s Senate passed a bill creating Evangelical Church Day, set for the last Sunday in October, with no requirement to make it a public holiday or mandatory school day. Diplomacy & Trade: Paraguay’s ambassador to Israel, Alejandro Rubin Cymerman, pushed for Israeli backpackers and shoppers to see Paraguay’s flag and boost visibility for Paraguayan beef, citing $220M in 2025 exports and a forecast near $300M for 2026. Motorsport Spotlight: President Santiago Peña met FIA chief Mohammed Ben Sulayem at Rally del Paraguay in Encarnación, highlighting grassroots pathways and the growing fan base for rallying. WRC Paraguay: Rally coverage noted storm damage and stage disruptions as Sami Pajari and others battled for the lead. International Sports: Everton reportedly agreed a deal with AS Monaco for USMNT forward Folarin Balogun, after his World Cup run included goals against Paraguay. Global Football: Lionel Messi announced his retirement from Argentina international duty after the 2026 World Cup.

Health Strike Escalates: More than 300 Paraguayan doctors resigned from the public hospital network in support of a widening health strike, demanding major improvements to the public system; health officials said the mass resignations won’t be accepted. Rally Paraguay Spotlight: The FIA WRC Rally del Paraguay drew about 300,000 fans and featured Paraguay-built “Paso de los Teros,” as President Santiago Peña met FIA chief Mohammed Ben Sulayem to discuss grassroots motorsport pathways. WRC Results & Drama: Sami Pajari made WRC history with a third straight win in Paraguay, cutting Elfyn Evans’ lead to 20 points, while a violent crash forced cancellation of a penultimate stage after Takamoto Katsuta’s accident. Local Innovation: Paraguayan entrepreneur Ana Merlo launched FellowBridge, an AI platform meant to match students with scholarships based on their profile and goals. Education & Culture: Asunción’s 25th Crear en Libertad festival returns, and new art events like EXPYFEST 2026 bring immersive electronic music and installations to the capital.

Rally Paraguay Spotlight: Sami Pajari made WRC history with a third straight win on Paraguay’s red gravel, cutting Elfyn Evans’ lead to 20 points as Hayden Paddon took second and Adrien Fourmaux completed the podium. Safety & Disruption: A violent crash involving Takamoto Katsuta forced organisers to cancel the penultimate stage, with the crew taken to hospital for precautionary checks. Big Picture for Motorsport: Paraguay’s President Santiago Peña met FIA chief Mohammed Ben Sulayem during the event, as Rally del Paraguay drew about 300,000 fans (+42.8% vs 2025) and leaders pushed a new era for rallying under updated WRC commercial rights. Local Motorsport Milestone: Diego Domínguez won the WRC2 category on home soil, becoming the first Paraguayan to take the class victory at Rally Paraguay. Trade & Exports: Paraguay expanded exports in the first seven months of 2026, with 75 products reaching 43 new destinations, including first shipments to Nepal.

Rally del Paraguay Spotlight: Paraguay’s President Santiago Peña joined FIA chief Mohammed Ben Sulayem at the WRC Rally del Paraguay, drawing about 300,000 fans and underscoring the country’s rising motorsport clout as the FIA rolls out a new long-term WRC/European Rally commercial deal aimed at boosting grassroots access. WRC Paraguay Update: Toyota’s Sami Pajari extended his lead to 22.8s after stormy conditions battered the service park, while the rally’s opening day was marked by punctures, delaminations, and multiple retirements. Public Health Pressure: Paraguay’s public-sector doctors ended a five-day strike without a deal, with specialists at the General Pediatric Hospital of Acosta Ñu resigning en masse, raising fresh concerns for hospital operations. Tax Boost: Paraguay’s National Directorate of Tax Revenues says it collected an extra ₲11.5 trillion (about US$1.53 billion) in three years, lifting the tax-to-GDP ratio from 9.1% to 11.2% by end-2025. Trade & Exports: Paraguay expanded exports to 43 new destinations in the first seven months of 2026, including first shipments to Nepal, while new market wins also reached Malaysia and Uruguay. Aviation Connectivity: Avianca will start daily flights between Asunción and Bogotá in late October 2026, adding capacity and strengthening regional travel links.

WRC Paraguay: Sami Pajari moved closer to a third straight win, extending his lead to 22.8s after storm-force winds and heavy rain battered the service park, damaging team tents while the stages stayed unexpectedly dry; Pajari survived a scare when he ran wide into a ditch and damaged his rear wing. WRC Paraguay: Earlier, the rally’s opening day turned into a puncture-and-crash marathon, with multiple Rally1 retirements and tyre failures shaping the fight at the top. Public Health: Paraguay’s public-sector doctors ended a five-day strike without a deal, as specialists at the main pediatric hospital announced mass resignations, raising fresh pressure on hospitals. Tax & Economy: Paraguay’s tax authority says DNIT collections rose by ₲11.5 trillion (about US$1.53bn) in three years, lifting the tax-to-GDP ratio from 9.1% to 11.2% by end-2025. Aviation: Avianca will add daily flights between Asunción and Bogotá from late October 2026, boosting regional connectivity. Culture & Community: Expo Yguazú opened with more than 100 companies and free entry through Aug. 30, marking the district’s 65th anniversary and 90 years of Japanese immigration.

Paraguayan Economy & Tax: Paraguay’s tax authority says it collected an extra ₲11.5 trillion (about US$1.53B) in three years after merging tax and customs, lifting the tax-to-GDP ratio from 9.1% to 11.2% by end-2025. Public Health: Paraguay’s public-sector doctors ended a five-day strike without a deal, with 86% of specialists at the main pediatric hospital announcing resignations if demands aren’t met. Aviation & Connectivity: Avianca will start daily flights between Asunción and Bogotá in late October 2026, boosting regional travel capacity. Culture & Community: Expo Yguazú opened in Plaza de la Amistad with free entry through Aug. 30, marking the district’s 65th anniversary and 90 years of Japanese immigration. WRC Paraguay: Rally Paraguay’s opening day was chaotic, with tyre failures and retirements shaping the early running as Hayden Paddon took the lead after a brutal morning. Energy Watch: Analysts warn bitcoin mining is consuming about 30% of Paraguay’s power, raising fears of an energy crunch by 2029.

WRC Paraguay: A chaotic Rally Paraguay opening day turned into a survival test, with tyre delaminations and punctures knocking out multiple Rally1 crews; Hayden Paddon took the lead after a brutal morning that forced retirements including Takamoto Katsuta, Thierry Neuville and Sebastien Ogier, while championship leader Elfyn Evans slid to third after tyre trouble. Motorsport & FIA: FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem met Chile’s José Antonio Kast in Santiago to boost cooperation on road safety and sustainable mobility, with Chile also signing the FIA’s “United Against Online Abuse” charter. Energy & economy: Analysts warn bitcoin mining is already consuming about 30% of Paraguay’s power and could threaten the grid’s stability by 2029, as hydropower conditions and uncertain contract renewals loom. Culture: Caaguazú’s Suena Caaguazú festival brought together 70+ Paraguayan music delegations, with major tributes to Luis Alberto del Paraná and Quemil Yambay. International trade: The US temporarily waived some beef tariffs for Brazil and Paraguay, a move that could shift short-term market access for exporters.