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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

☆ Global leaders react to Milei's Argentina victory
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

ARGENTINE PRESIDENT ALBERTO FERNANDEZ"I am a man of democracy, and I value nothing more than the popular verdict. I trust that tomorrow we can start working with Javier Milei to guarantee an orderly transition." FORMER ARGENTINA PRESIDENT MAURICIO MACRI"I congratulate Javier Milei for bravely representing the will to advance and prosper that lives in the hearts of Argentines. WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR JAKE SULLIVAN"I congratulate Javier Milei on his election as president of Argentina and to the people of Argentina for holding free and fair elections. FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP"Congratulations to Javier Milei on a great race for president of Argentina.

Persons: Javier Milei, ALBERTO FERNANDEZ, MAURICIO MACRI, JAKE SULLIVAN, DONALD TRUMP, ILAN GOLDFAJN, LUIZ INACIO LULA DA SILVA, SANTIAGO PENA, GUSTAVO PETRO, Milei, GABRIEL BORIC, Sergio Massa, LUIS LACALLE POU, DINA BOLUARTE'S, JAIR BOLSONARO, Javier Milei's, ARGENTINA DMITRY FEOKTISTOV, Brendan O'Boyle, Lidia Kelly, Chris Reese Organizations: ARGENTINE, IDB, PARAGUAYAN, America, URUGUAYAN, Thomson Locations: ARGENTINA, Argentina, Argentine, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Argentine Republic, South America, United States, Brazil, RUSSIAN, BRICS

☆ 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

☆ U.S. set to clear Paraguayan beef exports, says Brazil meatpacker
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

SAO PAULO, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Brazilian meatpacker Minerva (BEEF3.SA) said on Monday it has been informed by Paraguayan authorities of the approval of a health protocol set to open the U.S. market for Paraguayan beef exports. Minerva, which owns four plants in Paraguay, said in a securities filing only final bureaucratic procedures are now required for the exports to be effectively cleared. "That's an important step for the country's beef producers and could open opportunities in other markets that follow similar sanitary standards," the Brazilian company said. Reporting by Gabriel Araujo; Editing by Steven GrattanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Minerva, Gabriel Araujo, Steven Grattan Organizations: SAO PAULO, BEEF3, Minerva, Thomson Locations: Paraguay

☆ US reduces beef exports as cattle herd shrinks, squeezing Tyson Foods
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Tom Polansek | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The decline in cattle numbers, after years of drought fried pasture lands used for grazing, led to soaring U.S. beef prices. Higher prices incentivize companies to import cheaper beef and discourage U.S. beef purchases by buyers like China, Japan and Egypt. For Tyson, the loss of U.S. export business compounds margin pressure from higher cattle prices, Goldman Sachs analysts said. U.S. beef exports typically command higher margins than domestic shipments, they said. The USDA on Thursday raised its forecasts for beef imports in 2023 and 2024 in a monthly report.

Persons: Amira Karaoud, world's, Tyson, Cargill, Pete Bonds, Bonds, Goldman Sachs, Donnie King, Katelyn McCullock, McCullock, Derrell, Tom Polansek, Rod Nickel Organizations: Corydon , Indiana U.S, REUTERS, Rights, Tyson, U.S . Department of Agriculture, USDA, U.S ., U.S, Marketing, Center, Oklahoma State University, Thomson Locations: Corydon , Indiana, United States, China, Japan, Egypt, Texas, U.S, Tyson's, Florida, South Carolina, Australia, New Zealand, Paraguay, Paraguayan, Mexico

☆ Ronaldo double keeps Al-Nassr perfect in Asian Champions League
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Michael Church | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Ismaeel Mohammad and Almoez Ali pulled Al Duhail back into contention before Ronaldo's 81st-minute volley restored their two-goal cushion, only for Michael Olunga to hit Al Duhail's third with five minutes remaining to ensure a tense finish. The win moves Al-Nassr three points clear of Iran's Persepolis, who saw Alireza Beiranvand make a seventh-minute penalty save from Senin Sebai before winning 2-0 in Tehran against FC Istiklol of Tajikistan. Saeid Sadeghi scored twice to earn the home side their second win in three games and go five points clear of Al Duhail and Istiklol, who have a solitary point each. The win takes Al-Ain to nine points from three games, six points clear of Al-Fayha, Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan and Ahal. Reporting by Michael Church, Editing by Clare FallonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo, Nassr, Anderson, Sadio Mane, Ronaldo, Ismaeel Mohammad, Almoez Ali, Al Duhail, Michael Olunga, Al Duhail's, Alireza, Senin, Saeid Sadeghi, Alfred Schreuder's, Soufiane Rahimi, Nawaf Al Harthi, Kouaido, Kaku, Erik, Al Harthi, Rahimi, Pakhtakor, Azizbek Turgunboyev, Hojimat Erkinov, Michael Church, Clare Fallon Organizations: Asian Champions League, Saudi Pro League, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Senin Sebai, FC Istiklol, Saudi, United Arab, Al, Azizbek, Thomson Locations: Riyadh, Al Duhail, Qatar, Persepolis, Tehran, Tajikistan, Ain, Paraguayan, United Arab Emirates, Al, Pakhtakor, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tashkent

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

[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

CNN —China’s foreign ministry on Sunday condemned the transit of Taiwan’s vice president and presidential candidate William Lai through the United States, calling him a “troublemaker through and through.”Lai arrived in New York on Saturday en route to Paraguay where he will attend the inauguration of Paraguayan President Santiago Pena on August 15. Paraguay is Taiwan’s only diplomatic ally in South America. Shortly after Lai’s arrival, China’s foreign ministry said it “firmly opposes” any official interaction between the US and Taiwan and any “‘Taiwan independence’ separatists to the US.”“China deplores and strongly condemns the US decision to arrange the so-called ‘stopover,’” it said in a statement. “Lai clings stubbornly to the separatist position for ‘Taiwan independence’. Lai is due to transit through San Francisco on August 16 on his return to Taipei, Taiwan’s vice foreign minister Alexander Yui said during a media briefing earlier this month.

Persons: CNN —, William Lai, ” Lai, Santiago Pena, Lai, ”, ‘, China’s, “, “ Lai, China ”, Alexander Yui Organizations: CNN, Paraguayan, US, Communist Party, Taiwan, ’ Locations: United States, New York, Paraguay, South America, China, Taiwan, ”, Lai, San Francisco, Taipei

☆ 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

[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

☆ Former Barcelona defender Alba to sign for Inter Miami, says club president
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

July 18 (Reuters) - Former Barcelona defender Jordi Alba will join Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, the Major League Soccer (MLS) club's president Jorge Mas said on Tuesday. Alba, who has won more than 90 caps for Spain, will be part of a strong ex-Barcelona contingent at Inter Miami, with Messi and Sergio Busquets having already joined the club. Miami are also looking to sign another former Barca player, Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, who plays for Gremio in Brazil. Mas said that talks had taken place but "he is a Gremio player and I respect that". The MLS team's president also confirmed the arrival of Paraguayan midfielder Diego Gomez from Libertad, and said they had made formal contact with Argentine side Racing Club to enquire about Tomas Aviles.

Persons: Jordi Alba, Lionel Messi, Jorge Mas, Alba, Messi, Sergio Busquets, Gerardo Martino, Mas, Luis Suarez, Diego Gomez, Tomas Aviles, Angelica Medina, Toby Davis Organizations: Barcelona, Inter Miami, Major League Soccer, Champions League, Copa del Rey, Tata, TyC Sports, Barca, Uruguayan, Gremio, MLS, Libertad, Argentine, Racing Club, Thomson Locations: Barcelona, Spain, Miami, Brazil, Paraguayan, Mexico

Instead, Gomez Cabrera has to juggle a part-time nannying job beside strenuous practices. Now, Santino runs girls’ soccer program La Nuestra in the Villa 31, where Gomez Cabrera has played for nearly a decade. Becoming a soccer star is a common dream for boys and girls alike where Pereira grew up. "How can we realize our dream to become top players if they don't give us a chance?" Oliveros works part-time as a girls' soccer instructor.

Persons: Carla Carniel, Camila Lujan Gomez Cabrera, Gomez Cabrera, Maradona, Pele, Monica Santino, Santino, Christiane Rozeira, Gabrielle Cardoso, Paola Genes, it's, Genes, Nicole Pereira, Pereira, Laurina Oliveros, Oliveros, Lucila Sigal, Anna, Catherine Brigida, Daniela Desantis, Lucinda Elliott, Leandro Benassatto, Sebastian Rocandio, Christian Radnedge Organizations: REUTERS, Buenos Aires's Villa, Villa, Belgrano, SOUTH, Olimpia, National Cancer, Rocinha Soccer, Argentina women's, Argentina's Boca Juniors, Thomson Locations: Sao Paulo, Brazil, Carla Carniel BUENOS AIRES, Buenos, South America's, Buenos Aires, Nuestra, South America, Paraguay, Rio de Janeiro, United States, Argentina, Uruguay

☆ Palmeiras' Tabata gets four-month ban after alleged racist abuse
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Tabata and other Palmeiras substitutes drew attention to racist abuse from Cerro Porteno fans during the match, which was played in May. "What actually happened was that I heard the fans shouting 'monos' (monkeys) at the players who were on the pitch, near the north stand. "When we understood, I asked them back and wanted to understand if that was it, if they were calling us monkeys. "I was denouncing the racism that was taking place by their fans, because they are the ones responsible, not us," he added. In a video posted on social media and published by local media outlet Globo Ge, a Porteno fan recorded himself calling Palmeiras players monkeys and shouting other insults.

Persons: Bruno Tabata, Tabata, Pablo Rojas, Basta, Angelica Medina, Ken Ferris Organizations: Palmeiras, CONMEBOL, Copa Libertadores, Paraguay's Cerro Porteno, Cerro Porteno, South, Paraguayan, Libertadores, Porteno, Reuters, Thomson Locations: South American, Mexico City

☆ 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.

[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.

☆ 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.

[1/5] 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 Voters Elect Conservative Economist as President
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-30 | by ( Jack Nicas | Laurence Blair | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

POZO COLORADO, Paraguay — Paraguayans elected Santiago Peña, a 44-year-old conservative economist, as their new president on Sunday, keeping the South American nation in the control of the right-wing Colorado Party that has run the country for all but five of the past 76 years. The result means that Paraguay, a landlocked nation of seven million people, has resisted the leftward shift across Latin America in recent years. Instead, Paraguayans delivered victory to a right-wing candidate who made vague promises to add jobs, lower energy prices and clear drug addicts from the street. Mr. Peña had 43 percent of the vote with 99 percent of the ballots counted, defeating two challengers who split the opposition vote. Mr. Peña is a political protégé of a former Paraguayan president, Horacio Cartes, who is one of its richest men and the president of the Colorado Party.

☆ 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.

The ruling Colorado Party has dominated Paraguayan politics for the last three-quarters of a century, in power for all but five years. "We never talked about politics before, because a win for the Colorado Party was a done deal," 40-year-old bank worker Gustavo Vera told Reuters in the capital. "There's more corruption in Paraguay than work... All I know is we have to work much harder to make ends meet." The U.S. Treasury earlier this year imposed sanctions on party chief Horacio Cartes and Vice President Hugo Velazquez, citing "rampant corruption." Alegre, on his third presidential campaign, has pulled together a broad alliance of independent parties to challenge the powerful Colorado political machine.

☆ Taiwan or China? Paraguay's dilemma puts election race in the spotlight
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( Lucindaalice Elliott | Daniela Desantis | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/2] Paraguayan presidential candidate Santiago Pena from ruling Colorado Party, attends his campaign rally, in Asuncion, Paraguay April 18, 2023. REUTERS/Cesar OlmedoASUNCION, April 24 (Reuters) - From Paraguayan capital Asuncion to Taipei and Washington, diplomats, officials - and farmers - are closely watching a tight election race that could determine Paraguay's future ties with Taiwan. "How can I deny a relationship that is beneficial for all Paraguayans, a people that need development, need investment, need industry?" China has long argued that democratically-ruled Taiwan is part of its own territory with no right to state-to-state ties, a position Taipei strongly rejects. 'WHEN, NOT IF'Among diplomatic circles in Asuncion there is a sense a switch is inevitable - regardless of the election outcome.

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