Paraguay

Oct. 31 (UPI) — Paraguayan President Santiago Peña has signed a decree designating Brazil’s criminal groups Comando Vermelho and Primeiro Comando da Capital, or PCC, as terrorist organizations “because of their actions that threaten Paraguay’s national sovereignty and institutional stability.”

The decree says the designation aligns with a state policy reaffirming the country’s commitment to democracy, the rule of law and national sovereignty. It also allows for tougher penalties and strengthens international cooperation on security and extradition.

“For us, there is no doubt that these are criminal groups seeking to destabilize countries, and we must confront them,” Peña said on TV Paraguay.

The move follows a major operation by Brazil’s state police targeting organized crime in two Rio de Janeiro favelas, which left more than 120 people dead, many of them believed to be members of Comando Vermelho. Brazilian authorities described it as one of the deadliest anti-crime operations in recent years.

In response, Paraguay’s National Defense Council ordered the highest level of alert along the entire border with Brazil and instructed the armed forces, National Police and Migration Directorate to increase personnel and resources to bolster national security.

Authorities also announced coordination with security forces from Brazil and Argentina to conduct joint patrols and surveillance operations at border crossings and transit zones to prevent members of those criminal groups from entering the country.

Interior Minister Enrique Riera said the operational plan is underway, prioritizing intelligence work, drone-based aerial surveillance and coordination between military and police units.

The plan also calls for intensifying efforts against smuggling and organized crime, especially at the end of the year.

Riera added that security will be reinforced at prisons housing members of these criminal organizations.

According to Paraguayan media, both criminal organizations have a strong presence along the Paraguay-Brazil border, where they operate networks involved in drug and arms trafficking and money laundering.

The PCC has been operating in Paraguay for more than a decade, with a history of prison riots and executions, while Comando Vermelho has also expanded its influence in recent years, particularly in the country’s northern region, the Paraguayan newspaper ABC reported.

The place is so cheap that a travel journalist was once laughed out of a nightclub because he paid the equivalent of 55p for a local tasty pie, which should have been close to free

If you’re seeking maximum value for your holiday budget and fancy somewhere completely off the beaten track, then this destination fits the bill perfectly. Asunción, Paraguay‘s capital, officially holds the title of the world’s cheapest city, yet tourists still aren’t flocking there in droves.

The place is so incredibly affordable that travel journalist Rob Crossan was once ridiculed in a nightclub after paying the equivalent of 55p for a local delicious pie, which should have cost virtually nothing.

Mr Crossan believed he’d secured a bargain with the ham and cheese empanada, roughly the size of a travel pillow, but locals in the nightclub were left in stitches, offering him their condolences for purchasing “the most expensive” one in Paraguay.

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OPINION

That incident occurred back in 2007, yet the city has maintained its budget-friendly reputation whilst remaining largely untouched by mass tourism, reports the Express.

The city took its name from the Feast of the Assumption celebrated there on August 15, 1537. Its population expanded four years later when Buenos Aires was abandoned in 1541 following an assault by the Pampa Indians, with residents fleeing to Asunción.

It subsequently served as the centre of Spanish colonial operations in eastern South America for nearly half a century before Buenos Aires was re-established. Today it boasts numerous flowering trees and several expansive parks.

Alongside the river, suburban structures remain colonial in character, whilst the city centre is contemporary with towering buildings. The cathedral, presidential palace, and the Pantheon (tomb) of Heroes, a smaller replica of the Invalides in Paris, are all must-see attractions built in the 19th century.

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Things to do

In most cities across Paraguay, parades are held to celebrate the founding of Asuncion. These events offer a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in the city’s culture, music, and traditional dress.

Historical sites such as the Palacio de los López or the Church of La Encarnación are worth visiting to learn more about the founding of Asuncion and its significance in Paraguayan history.

Don’t miss out on trying traditional Paraguayan dishes like sopa paraguaya (a cheesy cornbread) or chipa (a type of bread). Food festivals or cooking demonstrations are also great ways to discover more about the local cuisine.

Firework displays are a common sight in many Paraguayan cities as they celebrate the founding of Asuncion with spectacular shows. For the adventurous tourists, joining a traditional dance group during the festivities is an option.

Paraguay is one of just 12 countries that maintains diplomatic ties with Taiwan, not China.

But is Beijing using unofficial channels to extend its influence into the South American nation?

In our three-year undercover investigation, we meet a shadowy Chinese businessman who says he is a proxy for Beijing, a claim that China denies.

Our undercover researchers reveal that the alleged middleman has his own agenda.

He is plotting to build a secret scam compound near the Paraguayan capital, a safe haven for Chinese crime bosses fleeing crackdowns in Southeast Asia.

In a special exclusive report, 101 East investigates China’s Paraguay connection.

You can read the full statements given to 101 East below: