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☆ Paraguayan lawmaker and three others die in plane crash
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

ASUNCION, Dec 2 (Reuters) - A Paraguayan lawmaker and three other people died in a plane crash in the South American country on Saturday, local police said. "I receiver with deep pain the sad news about the passing of our colleague, friend and brother of dreams Walter Harms," Paraguay's Vice-president Pedro Alliana said on the social media platform X. Images on social media showed burning wreckage in a field. According to the police report, the plane hit a tree during takeoff and erupted in flames while falling to the ground. Reporting by Daniela Desantis; Writing by Alexander Villegas; Editing by Daniel WallisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Walter Harms, Pedro Alliana, Daniela Desantis, Alexander Villegas, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Thomson Locations: ASUNCION, Paraguayan, Asuncion, Colorado

☆ Paraguayan Lawmaker and Three Others Die in Plane Crash
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Dec. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

ASUNCION (Reuters) - A Paraguayan lawmaker and three other people died in a plane crash in the South American country on Saturday, local police said. The plane crashed soon after takeoff some 180 km (112 miles) from Asuncion and killed Walter Harms, a legislator for the ruling Colorado party and three men who were part of his team, according to the police report. "I receiver with deep pain the sad news about the passing of our colleague, friend and brother of dreams Walter Harms," Paraguay's Vice-president Pedro Alliana said on the social media platform X. Images on social media showed burning wreckage in a field. According to the police report, the plane hit a tree during takeoff and erupted in flames while falling to the ground.

Persons: Walter Harms, Pedro Alliana, Daniela Desantis, Alexander Villegas, Daniel Wallis Locations: ASUNCION, Paraguayan, Asuncion, Colorado

☆ Paraguay to reestablish ties with Venezuela after extended pause
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Paraguay's President-elect Santiago Pena speaks during an interview with Reuters ahead of his inauguration, in Asuncion, Paraguay August 7, 2023. REUTERS/Cesar Olmedo/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsASUNCION, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Paraguay and Venezuela have decided to reestablish diplomatic ties, the Paraguayan foreign ministry said in a statement on Wednesday, after the South American countries broke off relations nearly five years ago. Formal diplomatic ties were severed in January 2019, when Paraguay recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's interim president. Following talks between Paraguay's recently-elected President Santiago Pena and his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro, the ministry said ambassadors should be formally accredited in the coming days. Reporting by Daniela Desantis; Writing by Sarah Morland; Editing by David Alire GaricaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Santiago Pena, Cesar Olmedo, Juan Guaido, Paraguay's, Nicolas Maduro, Daniela Desantis, Sarah Morland, David Alire Garica Organizations: Reuters, REUTERS, Rights, South, Venezuelan, Thomson Locations: Asuncion, Paraguay, Rights ASUNCION, Venezuela, Paraguayan

Most of the school burned down, but its leaders quickly got classes up and running at Sacred Hearts Mission Church 10 miles (16 kilometers) away. Sacred Hearts and other private schools across the state took in displaced public school students, such as Cuaresma, while offering a year of free tuition. Other students bused more than 45 minutes away to public schools on the other side of Maui or opted for remote classes. Debbie Tau’s two children won’t return to their Lahaina schools because she also is worried the air isn’t safe. Patrick Williams said the first time he saw his son Kupaʻa praying at Sacred Hearts reminded him of his own childhood in Mississippi.

Persons: ”, Cailee Cuaresma, “ I’m, Cuaresma, Tonata Lolesio, “, Lahaina , King Kamehameha III, Nāhiʻenaʻena, Tiffany Teruya, Puʻuwai, Debbie Tau’s, Patrick Williams, ’ ” Williams, Williams, Gabby Suzik, Suzik, ” Suzik, Charlene Ako, Ako, Maile Organizations: Lahainaluna High, Sacred Hearts School, Hearts Mission, Hearts, Workers, Assistance Dogs, Lahaina, Maui Preparatory Academy, Lahaina’s, Maui Prep Locations: LAHAINA, Hawaii, Maui, Lahaina, Lahaina , King, Kihei, COVID, Mississippi, Asuncion, Waiola

☆ Paraguay's biggest prison set ablaze, rioting inmates take guards hostage
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/5] Police stand outside the Tacumbu penitentiary during a riot after inmates took hostage a dozen officials and caused a fire, in Asuncion, Paraguay October 10, 2023. REUTERS/Cesar Olmedo Acquire Licensing RightsASUNCION, Oct 10 (Reuters) - Inmates at Paraguay's largest prison rioted on Tuesday, taking 11 guards hostage and setting fire to facilities in the crowded Tacumbu penitentiary on the outskirts of the capital. Two hostages were later released as government and military forces responded to the revolt, according to Interior Minister Enrique Riera. Tacumbu houses nearly 4,000 inmates in a ramshackle, tin-roof building and, according to local security experts, gangs exert near-total influence over life inside. Interior Minister Riera said Paraguay would push for prison reform once the riot was quelled.

Persons: Cesar Olmedo, Enrique Riera, Riera, Daniela Desantis, Kylie Madry, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Police, REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Asuncion, Paraguay, Rights ASUNCION

☆ Paraguay's Biggest Prison Set Ablaze, Rioting Inmates Take Guards Hostage
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

ASUNCION (Reuters) - Inmates at Paraguay's largest prison rioted on Tuesday, taking 11 guards hostage and setting fire to facilities in the crowded Tacumbu penitentiary on the outskirts of the capital. Two hostages were later released as government and military forces responded to the revolt, according to Interior Minister Enrique Riera. Tacumbu houses nearly 4,000 inmates in a ramshackle, tin-roof building and, according to local security experts, gangs exert near-total influence over life inside. Police braced behind riot shields while the entrance to the prison was in flames, though authorities said later that firefighters had brought the blaze under control. Interior Minister Riera said Paraguay would push for prison reform once the riot was quelled.

Persons: Enrique Riera, Riera, Daniela Desantis, Kylie Madry, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Police Locations: ASUNCION, Paraguay

The joint bid from Morocco, Portugal and Spain was the sole candidate to host the tournament. Spain have been awarded the World Cup weeks after their disgraced former chief Luis Rubiales was forced to step down for alleged sexual assault at the Women's World Cup. "As a result, a celebration will take place in South America and three South American countries - Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay - will organise one match each of the FIFA World Cup 2030." WORLD CUP RETURNS TO SPAINWhile Portugal and Morocco have never hosted the World Cup, Spain last hosted the tournament in 1982. "I am sure that together with Morocco and Portugal we will organise the best World Cup in history," he said.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Carl Recine, Luis Rubiales, Gianni Infantino, Infantino, Robert Harrison, Pedro Rocha, Fernando Gomes, King Mohammed VI, FIFA's, Rohith Nair, Daniela Desantis, Osama Khairy, Emma Pinedo Gonzalez, William Maclean Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA World, Qatar, Lusail, REUTERS, Uruguay, FIFA, Argentine Football Association, FIFA Council, Montevideo's Estadio Centenario, Paraguayan Football Association, South, Management, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Portuguese Football Federation, Christian, Thomson Locations: Argentina, France, Lusail, Qatar, Morocco, Spain, Portugal, Paraguay, Uruguay, Montevideo, South America, Asia, Oceania, Bengaluru, Asuncion

☆ Paraguay president to halt Mercosur-EU talks if no deal by December
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Daniela Desantis | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Paraguay's president Santiago Pena addresses the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 19, 2023. Pena has criticized the progress of talks between the two trade blocs since before he took office in August. The deal between Mercosur - the trade bloc composed of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay - and the EU hit snags in 2019 after a so-called side letter from the EU requiring environmental safeguards. Lula, as well as EU Ambassador to Paraguay Javier Garcia de Viedma, have said they believe an EU-Mercosur deal was feasible by the end of 2023. "I think we are very close," Garcia de Viedma told reporters on Monday.

Persons: Santiago Pena, Eduardo Munoz, Pena, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Lula, Paraguay Javier Garcia de Viedma, Garcia de Viedma, Daniela Desantis, Sarah Morland, Mark Potter Organizations: General Assembly, REUTERS, Rights, European Union, Reuters, EU, Mercosur, United Nations General Assembly, United, United Arab Emirates, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Rights ASUNCION, Paraguayan, Mercosur, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay, New York, Singapore, United Arab, EU

China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, despite the strong objections of the island's government. "This is a serious warning against Taiwan independence separatist forces colluding with external forces to provoke," it said. China has a particular dislike of Lai for his previous comments that he was a "practical worker for Taiwan independence". The United States, like most countries, has no formal ties with Taiwan but is its strongest international backer, bound by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself. China has over the past three years ramped up military pressure on Taiwan, including sending military aircraft and warships near the island.

Persons: William Lai, Nancy Pelosi, Tsai Ing, Kevin McCarthy, Lai, Deb Haaland, King Felipe VI, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Casey Hall, Ben Blanchard, Greg Torode, William Mallard Organizations: Joint Staff Office, Defense Ministry of Japan, Reuters, Eastern Theatre Command, U.S . House, U.S, Beijing, Communist Party, Thomson Locations: Okinawa, Miyako, SHANGHAI, TAIPEI, Taiwan, United States, Taipei . Lai, Paraguay, China, Taipei, California, South, Asuncion

☆ China military action to US stopover would be election interference, Taiwan VP says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Taiwan's Vice President William Lai speaks during a welcome dinner in Asuncion, Paraguay, in this handout picture released on August 15, 2023. Taiwanese officials say China could launch military drills this week, using Lai's stopovers in the United States as a pretext to intimidate voters ahead of an election next year and make them "fear war". China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, has an particular dislike of Lai who has in the past described himself as a "practical worker for Taiwan independence". China considers Taiwan to be its most sensitive and important political and diplomatic issue, and it is a constant source of Sino-U.S. friction. China says Taiwan has no right to state-to-state ties and has been trying to pick off Taiwan's remaining diplomatic allies.

Persons: William Lai, Lai, Tsai Ing, Kevin McCarthy, Lai's, Li Shangfu, Deb Haaland, King Felipe VI, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Taipei's, Ben Blanchard, Lincoln Organizations: Taiwan Presidential, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Taiwan, Central News Agency, U.S, Chinese Defence, Thomson Locations: Asuncion , Paraguay, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, U.S, China, Paraguay, United States, January's, New York, California, Central America, York, San Francisco, Taipei, Moscow, Asuncion, Honduras, Beijing

[1/5] Paraguay's new President Santiago Pena wears the presidential sash and holds the baton of command as he greets people with the first lady Leticia Ocampos during his inauguration, in Asuncion, Paraguay August 15, 2023. REUTERS/Cesar Olmedo Acquire Licensing RightsASUNCION, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Santiago Pena was sworn in on Tuesday as Paraguay's new president, promising to "build alliances" and show "firm and ethical leadership" for the next five years after his April election victory. "We will build alliances and cooperation with a geostrategic vision," the president said in his inaugural speech, adding that Paraguay's relationship with Taiwan "is an example of this and of Paraguay's friendly and cooperative spirit with nations." Despite pressure from farmers who want to open up Chinese markets, he has pledged to stick with Paraguay's decades-long diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Pena faces the additional challenge of shoring up relations with the United States after the U.S. government accused his political mentor, former President Horacio Cartes, of corruption.

Persons: Santiago Pena, Leticia Ocampos, Cesar Olmedo, Pena, Spain, William Lai, Mario Abdo Benitez, Santi, Horacio Cartes, Cartes, Milda Rivarola, Rivarola, Daniela Desantis, Lucinda Elliott, Jonathan Oatis, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, South, Taiwan's, Colorado Party, U.S, Ultima, Thomson Locations: Asuncion, Paraguay, Rights ASUNCION, William Lai . Paraguay, China, Taiwan, Paraguayan, United States

Paraguay's President-elect Santiago Pena speaks during an interview with Reuters ahead of his inauguration, in Asuncion, Paraguay August 7, 2023. His party's diplomatic support for Taiwan has hurt local farmers' grains exports to China, which claims sovereignty over the self-governed island. Taiwan Vice President William Lai is in Paraguay for Pena's inauguration. Relations with the United States will also be in focus after the U.S. government accused Pena's political backer, former President Horacio Cartes, of corruption. Pena also wants to create 500,000 new jobs in five years to boost the South American country's farm-driven economy, dominated by soybeans and beef.

Persons: Santiago Pena, Cesar Olmedo, Pena, William Lai, Horacio Cartes, " Pena, Cartes, Santi, Daniela Desantis, Lucinda Elliott, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: Reuters, REUTERS, Colorado, Colorado Party, Pena's, U.S, American, Columbia University, IMF, Thomson Locations: Asuncion, Paraguay, ASUNCION, Taiwan, U.S, China, United States, Washington, Colorado

☆ Cocaine cartels encroach on Unification Church’s Paraguayan paradise
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Puerto Casado | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +20 min

Many of the runways are on land owned by the Unification Church of South Korea, founded by Rev. The Unification Church is a major power in this unruly region. Byun, the Unification Church lawyer, provided Reuters with an April 2022 document the church sent to Paraguayan anti-narcotics prosecutors, urging an investigation into potential illicit activity. Trouble in paradiseThe alleged drug-running on its land isn’t the only trouble the Unification Church has faced in the Chaco. Byun, the church lawyer, acknowledged the tensions with locals in Puerto Casado but declined to comment on the Myungs or the fire.

Persons: Sun Myung, Michelle Byun, ” Byun, “, Moon, God, ”, Miguel Ángel Servín, Servín, Rodrigo Alvarez, Elva Cáceres, Marco Alcaraz, Cynthia Tarrago, Tarrago, Raimundo Va, Rodrigo Alvarenga Paredes, Byun, Alvarenga, “ Alvarenga, Rodrigo Álvarez, Álvarez, Pedro Juan Caballero, ‘ Lawless, –, Marcelo Pecci, José Carlos Acevedo, ” Acevedo, Pecci, Acevedo, Mario Abdo Benítez, James Laverty, Hak Ja, ” –, Carlos Casado, Anger, Locals, Lorenzo Myung, Martin Rodriguez, Rodriguez, Dora Irrazábal, Irrazábal, Alberto David Gauto, Gauto, Emilio Camacho, Moon’s, Hyun Jin, Preston, Hak, Hyung Jin, Sean, Massimo Introvigne, Sean Moon, Preston Moon, Puerto Casado, Virgilio Chamorro, Gabriel Stargardter, Daniela Desantis, Feilding, Tomas Bravo, John Emerson, Brian Thevenot Organizations: Unification Church of, Rev, Authorities, Reuters, Unification Church, Holy Spirit Association, South Korea’s Unification, Belgian, Sting, South, International Association of Parliamentarians, Peace, U.S . Federal Bureau of Investigation, Colorado Party, Yorker, U.S, Attorney, FBI, Capital Command, PCC, United Nations Office, Drugs, U.S . Drug, Carlos Casado SA, Salesian, Supreme, FARC, Peace Foundation, Center for Studies, New, Iron Ministries, Preston, Tomas Bravo Graphics Locations: Paraguayan, Unification Church of South Korea, SENAD Paraguay, Chaco, Paraguay, Korea, Bolivian, Peruvian, Atlantic, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Europe, Argentine, Manhattan, “, Antwerp, Europe’s, Servín, Asunción, Seoul, New York City, United States, New Jersey, Tarrago, Va, U.S, Byun, Alvarenga, Chile, Ecuador, Colombian, Bolivia, American, South America, America, Puerto Casado, Gauto, Preston, Turin, Italy, Pennsylvania, Puerto

☆ Extreme heat is holding the economy back. Don't expect federal legislation to help any time soon.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

There are no federal regulations protecting workers in extreme heat. Biden announced plans to protect workers last week with more enforcement of heat-safety violations. "I urge the administration to move quickly to create this national heat standard to protect workers on the job. Last year, business groups sued Oregon over extreme heat worker protection rules, arguing the state overstepped its statutory authority in requiring employers to pay workers during breaks. However, some experts believe that investments to protect workers, such as rearranging shifts or changing uniform colors, pay off since workers can be more productive in the longer run.

Persons: Biden, Marc Freedman, Algernon Austin, Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, haven't, Austin Organizations: Service, United States Chamber of Commerce, New York Times, OSHA, Center for Economic, Policy Research, Research, Labor Department, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, Department of, Democratic, Occupational Safety, Health Administration, Safety, UPS, Asuncion Valdivia Heat, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Demolition Association Locations: Wall, Silicon, California , Colorado, Washington, America, Oregon, Texas, California , Michigan, Georgia, Asuncion Valdivia

[1/2] President of the Central Bank of Paraguay Carlos Fernandez Valdovinos speaks during an interview with Reuters in Asuncion, Paraguay July 31, 2017. REUTERS/Jorge Adorno/File photoASUNCION, Aug 1 (Reuters) - Paraguay is seeking more Taiwanese investment to diversify its farm-driven economy focused on exporting raw materials to China, incoming Finance Minister Carlos Fernandez Valdovinos said in an interview. Paraguay remains the only South American nation with formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory. A Taiwan delegation including business leaders will travel to Paraguay in August for the inauguration of conservative President-elect Santiago Pena, he added. China, as a buyer of raw materials from Paraguay with no added value, "is probably convenient for some sectors," Fernandez said.

Persons: Central Bank of Paraguay Carlos Fernandez Valdovinos, Jorge Adorno, Carlos Fernandez Valdovinos, Fernandez, Santiago Pena, Pena, Jair Antonio de Lima, Lima, Lucinda Elliott, Daniela Desantis, Richard Chang Organizations: Central Bank of, Reuters, REUTERS, Gross, Thomson Locations: Central Bank of Paraguay, Asuncion, Paraguay, ASUNCION, China, Taiwan, CHINA, PARAGUAY Paraguayan, Beijing, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguayan, United States, Japan, South Korea, Ukraine

☆ Paraguay president-elect to visit 'great friend' Taiwan's Tsai
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] President-Elect Santiago Pena, a 44-year-old economist who won 43% of the vote on Sunday in the Presidential election, speaks during a news conference in Asuncion, Paraguay May 2, 2023. REUTERS/Cesar Olmedo/File PhotoTAIPEI, July 9 (Reuters) - Paraguay's president-elect, Santiago Pena, will visit Taiwan this week and meet "great friend" President Tsai Ing-wen, he said on Sunday, shoring up a relationship at a time China is working to entice the island's dwindling allies. Pena said on his Twitter account he would visit Abu Dhabi, then go to Taiwan to meet Tsai, who he described as a "great friend". He will be in Taiwan for the 66th anniversary of diplomatic ties on Wednesday, the ministry said. Diplomatic sources have told Reuters that Lai might attend as Taiwan's representative, likely transiting the United States to meet U.S. officials.

Persons: Santiago Pena, Cesar Olmedo, Tsai Ing, shoring, Pena, Tsai, William Lai, Wang Mei, Lai, Ben Blanchard, William Mallard Organizations: REUTERS, Democratic Progressive, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Asuncion , Paraguay, TAIPEI, Taiwan, China, Paraguay, American, Honduras, Beijing, Central America, Caribbean, U.S, America, Washington, Abu Dhabi, United States

☆ Smaller valuations and a lack of ego helped Spain's startup scene avoid some of Europe's shocking collapse in VC funding, investors say
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( Tasmin Lockwood | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Spain's startup scene has evaded some of the collapse in VC funding that has rocked Europe in 2023. Smaller check sizes and a lack of "ego" has somewhat protected the ecosystem, investors say. Smaller valuations, check sizes, and a distinct lack of ego helped Spain's startup scene evade some of the shocking collapse in venture capital funding that has rocked Europe so far this year. Smaller rounds give Spain's startups an edge in the downturnWhat correction was felt was eased by the fact there is less "ego" in Spain's ecosystem, according to Max Bray, an investor at early-stage firm K Fund. As well as the birth of local growth funds, investors see corporations playing a role in closing the funding gap.

Persons: SoftBank, Catalyst, Pablo Pedrejón, Max Bray, Dalia Silberstein, Pedro Arribas Gridilla, Juliette Simonin, Margarita Albors, Tasmin Lockwood, Bray, Marc Sabas, Fund's Bray, Wallbox cofounders Enric Asunción, Eduard Castañeda, Glovo, Wallbox, Oscar Pierre, Ship2B's Sabas, Danae Vara, Danae Vara Ship2B, hasn't, Sabas, CVCs, There's, Félix Ortega, K Fund's Bray, Sérgio Massano Organizations: Accel, Pedrejón, Venture, Fund, Esade Center, Social, Foundation, Spanish, K Fund, Investors, Danae Vara Ship2B Ventures, Investment, Corporations, Barcelona Activa, Telefónica, BBVA, Proeduca Locations: Europe, Spain, Madrid, France, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, Seaya, Bray, Vara, Barcelona, Silicon, London

☆ Former CONMEBOL president Napout to be released from U.S. jail - lawyer
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

ASUNCION, June 29 (Reuters) - Former South American soccer boss Juan Angel Napout, who was sentenced to nine years in prison in 2018 for his role in the FIFA corruption scandal, could be released next week, one of his lawyers said on Thursday. Napout, the former head of South American soccer's governing body CONMEBOL, was found guilty by a jury in the U.S. of racketeering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy, crimes stemming from the corruption scandal that engulfed global soccer body FIFA in 2015. Napout's lawyer Juan Ignacio Gonzalez Macchi told a radio station in Paraguay that Judge Pamela Chen had reduced Napout's sentence and he would be released on compassionate grounds on July 5. Napout suffers from cataracts in both eyes and his family alleges that he has not received adequate medical attention from prison authorities in Miami. "He is released but there is some paperwork for him to be able to take a flight and return to Paraguay," said Gonzalez.

Persons: Juan Angel Napout, Napout, Juan Ignacio Gonzalez Macchi, Pamela Chen, Gonzalez, Daniela Desantis, Janina Nuno Rios, Toby Davis Organizations: South, FIFA, CONMEBOL, Thomson Locations: ASUNCION, South American, U.S, Paraguay, Miami, Zurich

☆ Paraguay presidential candidate Cubas arrested after post-election protests
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] Paraguayo Cubas, who placed third in Paraguay's presidential elections last week, talks to police officers after his arrest, in Asuncion, Paraguay, May 5, 2023. REUTERS/Cesar OlmedoASUNCION, May 5 (Reuters) - Paraguayo Cubas, who placed third in Paraguay's presidential elections, has been arrested following post-election protests, authorities said on Friday. Cubas led protests to dispute Sunday's election results and call for a recount, though international organizations said there was no reason to doubt the integrity of the vote. "All the criminals in this country should be handcuffed like Paraguayo Cubas," he added as he got into a patrol car. Cubas had announced plans for renewed protests after his arrival in the capital.

☆ Paraguay's conservatives score big election win, defusing Taiwan fears
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Paraguayan presidential candidate for the Colorado Party, Santiago Peña (C), celebrates with his wife, Leticia Ocampos de Pea (R), and Paraguayan former President Horacio Cartes, after winning the presidential election in Asuncion on April 30, 2023. Norberto Duarte | AFP | Getty ImagesParaguay's ruling candidate Santiago Pena, 44, scored a big win in the country's presidential election on Sunday, tightening the conservative Colorado Party's political grip in the country and defusing fears about the end of diplomatic ties with Taiwan. "Thank you for this Colorado victory, thank you for this Paraguayan victory," Pena said in a speech. Colorado and right-wing party candidates also performed strongly in congressional elections and governor races, with some provinces recording a historic Colorado majority over opposition rivals. The Colorado Party has dominated politics in the landlocked South American country since the 1950s.

☆ Paraguay election result calms fear of another Taiwan ally falling (for now)
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Lucinda Elliott | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

ASUNCION, May 1 (Reuters) - News of Santiago Pena's election victory in Paraguay will be cheered by officials in Taiwan, which faces an uphill battle against China's economic muscle to keep its remaining 13 allies worldwide, including its last in South America. "This is a relief to Taipei," a senior European diplomat told Reuters in Asuncion asking not to be named. Taiwan's embassy in Paraguay congratulated Pena for winning the election and said it would continue to work on the two countries' "fruitful relationship". Pena's victory - and a strong performance in congressional elections by the ruling conservatives - has dampened hopes of a swift foreign policy shift, Galli said. Rubén Ramírez, a former foreign minister for Paraguay told Reuters that discussions over the Taiwan relationship must remain a priority when the new government is sworn in.

[1/4] Paraguayan presidential candidate Santiago Pena from the ruling Colorado Party gestures next to his wife Leticia Ocampos at the party headquarters as he and his running mate Pedro Alliana won Paraguay's presidential race, according to the preliminary official count, in Asuncion, Paraguay April 30, 2023. Still, Pena will be able to keep a cool head amid the tumult, his supporters say. "I think what characterizes him is that he has infinite tranquility," said Lea Gimenez, who served as Pena's deputy when he was finance minister and was later finance minister herself. Throughout the campaign the Colorado Party candidate has vowed to extend Paraguay's decades-long diplomatic relations with Taiwan, despite pressures to open up to China and its huge consumer demand for soybeans and beef. He became finance minister in 2015.

[1/5] Cipriano Gomez and Ambrosio Pedraza share a laugh as they chat the day after the general elections, where Santiago Pena, from the ruling Colorado Party, was elected as the new Paraguayan President, in Asuncion, Paraguay May 1, 2023. REUTERS/Agustin MarcarianASUNCION, May 1 (Reuters) - Paraguayans on Monday were mixed about the prospects of another five years of conservative Colorado party rule, but hoped President-elect Santiago Pena could reboot the country’s farm-driven economy. Pena, a 44-year-old economist, secured a 15-point lead over his opposition rival with 42.7% of the vote, cementing another five-year term for the ruling Colorado Party. "For me personally, Santiago Pena is a person who could contribute a lot to the economy of our country (by) putting things in place in macroeconomic terms,” Candia told Reuters. Resident Victor Barrios also felt Pena was the right choice: "I think Santiago Pena is the ideal president for now … five years on we’ll see what he does and how we judge him," he said.

ASUNCION, April 30 (Reuters) - Paraguayans are readying to head to the polls on Sunday in what could be the biggest electoral challenge to the ruling conservative Colorado Party in over a decade and with the country's near 70-year ties with Taiwan potentially at stake. In the streets and news debates, the political build-up has been dominated by the economy, corruption allegations and the candidates' views on Taiwan. Paraguay is one of only 13 nations to maintain formal diplomatic ties with the democratically-governed island that China claims as its own. Pena has said he would maintain ties with Taiwan. In final campaign events, Alegre took aim at corruption charges that have dogged Colorado Party leader Horacio Cartes, who was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury this year.

☆ Paraguay's women battle to break political glass ceiling
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-29 | by ( Lucinda Elliott | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

But there are signs of change, with seven female candidates out of 26 this time around. Nunez is the vice presidential candidate for the main opposition coalition, hoping to unseat the ruling Colorado Party. The more right-wing Colorado party has also approved gender parity plans for the cabinet, though two men are on its ticket. Some women are worried that may work against female candidates, who often contend with having less political apparatus and campaign funding. "By insisting on gender parity, it opens up the debate further," Martinez said.

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