FALL 2021
Governance and the Rule of Law
Paraguay’s vaccination campaign, which initially faced difficulties procuring vaccines, is now lagging due to low attendance at vaccination sites. The government has reduced age restrictions and is developing a variety of initiatives to facilitate and incentivize vaccination. The country has experienced a continued uptick in infections in the past few months due to these low vaccination rates and a lack of compliance with health guidelines.
- Paraguay experienced a dramatic decline in COVID-19 infections and deaths after reaching peak numbers in June 2021 that overwhelmed their health care system. However, COVID-19 cases have been rising for the last two months due to the expansion of the highly contagious Delta variant and low vaccination rates. This trend is especially pronounced among Paraguayans between the ages of 20-39.
- The government ended their curfew in October, but still has multiple health protection measures in place including an indoor mask mandate and capacity restrictions. They also announced a travel ban on ten Southern African nations due to the Omicron variant. Health authorities have urged Paraguayans to continue to follow health guidelines, but there has been a lack of compliance, most recently among the large crowds at the Celebration of the Virgin of Caacupé.
- At the beginning of the pandemic, Paraguay faced great difficulties acquiring vaccines in part due challenges with the United Nations COVAX mechanism as well as geopolitical debates regarding their relationship with Taiwan. Consequently, roughly half of their vaccine supply has been procured through donations. Recently though, due to low turnout at vaccination sites, the country has been forced to dispose of hundreds of thousands of doses of COVID-19 vaccines that have expired and has turned away additional vaccine donations.
- In an effort to use all of their vaccine doses, Paraguay has begun school-based vaccinations for children ages 12-17. The country has also begun offering booster shots to anyone over the age of 18. They aim to expand vaccination in early January to children 6 years of age and older if they procure enough Pfizer vaccines. Paraguay has fully vaccinated 37.5% of its population while 47% have received one dose.
- Despite the removal of age restrictions, attendance at vaccination centers has been low, and almost 20% of Paraguayans do not attend their second dose appointment. This trend is principally due to the spread of false information, especially on social media. A lack of trust in the government and its institutions is another factor hindering Paraguayan vaccination.
- In order to increase vaccination rates, the government has partnered with the private sector to provide incentives such as increased capacity at events and restaurant promotions for vaccinated individuals. Additionally, mobile vaccine clinics will take place at high traffic areas such as supermarkets and bus terminals, and the health department will continue door-to-door vaccination campaigns. Despite these initiatives, the Health Minister has noted that the country will not reach its goal of vaccinating 80% of the population by the end of 2021.
- Municipal elections occurred on October 10, 2021 after being postponed from November 2020 due to the pandemic. The election cycle was characterized by high levels of political violence including attacks, assassinations of candidates, vote buying and voter intimidation at polling stations.
- These elections were the first to occur after the implementation of an electoral reform whose intent was to make elections more equitable and transparent. The change to preferential voting appears to have strengthened traditional parties, particularly the ruling Colorado party, who won a majority of open seats despite accusations of corruption, anti-government protests throughout the pandemic and a perception that the political elites are distanced from the needs of the people.
- Paraguay has faced difficulties regarding transparency, oversight and citizen participation in the introduction and implementation of spending measures to address the pandemic. In one specific example, the mayor of Asunción has been accused of misappropriation of pandemic relief funds, although he won reelection in the recent municipal elections.
- The pandemic has highlighted the precarious nature of Paraguay’s health care system, which was overwhelmed during the most recent COVID-19 wave. The government is focused on expanding and strengthening the public health system, as it has had to be dependent on the private system to provide additional support during the pandemic.
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Growth and Innovation
Paraguay’s economy showed resilience throughout the pandemic and is on track to grow 4.5% in 2021 due to strength in key sectors. The country’s struggling vaccination campaign in combination with rising inflation, growing debt and structural challenges may threaten Paraguay’s post-pandemic economic recovery. The government has been focused on providing support to small businesses and vulnerable groups and industries.
- Paraguay’s history of strong macroeconomic policy and stability helped to shield it from a large economic shock from the pandemic. The country continues to show economic improvement for the seventh consecutive month, in part driven by a return of the hard-hit service sector. The 2020 gross domestic product (GDP) contracted .6%, the smallest in Latin America, and the 2021 GDP is predicted to increase by 4.5%. However, the country’s struggling vaccination campaign stands as a threat to Paraguay’s economic recovery.
- Challenges to the Paraguayan economy include rising inflation which has reached 6.8% in 2021 and is expected to remain above the Central Bank’s target range into 2022. In response, the Central Bank recently raised interest rates by 1.25%.
- Paraguay approved the 2022 budget which will reduce the budget deficit to 3% of GDP in order to contain the spending increases from pandemic relief efforts. In line with critiques of Paraguayan politics, the budget has also been criticized for addressing the needs of a small group of Paraguayans while failing to consider poverty and marginalized groups. An additional concern centers around the continued use of debt, which now stands at 36% of GDP, to finance the budget rather than increasing revenue through needed tax reform.
- Paraguay also faces structural challenges in its post-COVID recovery such as large levels of informal employment, the need to strengthen human capital, gender gaps in the labor market and limited coverage of the country’s pension system. The government has introduced a variety of initiatives to try and invest in inclusive and sustainable development such as youth training programs and focusing on new forms of employment contracts to create more flexibility for workers.
- Paraguay has been focused on supporting the sectors of its economy that are having a slower recovery from the pandemic such as micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). The government has provided loans and credits to MSMEs as well as continued the 50% reduction of the Value Added Tax for the restaurant, events and tourism industry. Supporting MSMEs is vital for the economic recovery of Paraguay as they employ 77% of the formal workforce.
- As an additional means to support pandemic economic recovery, Paraguay announced the Añua plan which facilitates cooperation between the government and the private sector to lower the cost of the basic food basket and gasoline until the end of 2021. Food and energy prices have been particularly impacted by inflation. The plan also expands social benefits for low-income families and the elderly as well as providing additional support for MSMEs.
- Paraguay and Argentina have opened up two additional points of entry between the two countries in addition to the original point of Encarnación and Posadas. Capacity limits and a vaccination requirement are in place in order to cross the border. Paraguayan merchants have long pushed for the reopening of the Triple Frontera land border between Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina because it serves as an important economic and commercial hub. The government announced a decreased tax on alcoholic beverages and perfume for businesses near the border to support their economic recovery with the reopening of the border.
- The reopening of the border between Encarnación and Posadas has resulted in a growing market for the Paraguayan currency – guaraníes – as Argentines are searching for means to escape their depreciating peso amidst rising inflation. Another concern with the reopened border is a potential fuel shortage, as Paraguayans purchase the cheaper Argentine fuel when they cross the border.
- The Paraguayan tourism industry is showing signs of recovery. October saw a 65% increase in tourism compared to September, and the country has begun its Abrazá Paraguay, Javy´a Paraguáipe – Embrace Paraguay, Let’s Rejoice in Paraguay – campaign to encourage domestic tourism.
- The Paraná River is at its lowest levels in eight decades, and is not forecasted to improve even though the rainy season has commenced in the region. This situation threatens Paraguay’s post-pandemic economic recovery due to the river’s key role in facilitating trade and energy production. Paraguay’s economy is heavily reliant on natural resources and is particularly vulnerable to impacts from climate change, prompting President Benítez to call on the international community to honor the Paris Agreement.
- Paraguay ranks below all neighboring countries in terms of physical infrastructure and connectivity despite an effort to invest in this area for the last decade. This situation threatens productivity, the growth of tourism, access to trade markets and the accessibility of public services for Paraguayan citizens.
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Social and Cultural Inclusion
Paraguay’s historical levels of inequality have been exacerbated by the pandemic, especially among women, children and indigenous communities. The pandemic has highlighted the need to reform the country’s fragmented and insufficient social protection system. The government has been critiqued for overlooking vulnerable groups and enacting legislation that deepens societal inequities.
- Indigenous groups have been demonstrating in recent months to demand the government address their concerns including a new law that increased punishment for land invasions, the restitution of their lands and the implementation of the National Plan for Inidgenous Peoples. Paraguay has a historical legacy of misappropriating indigenous lands, resulting in some of the most unequal land distribution globally. Forced evictions, often violent, and criminalization of indigenous leaders, have continued throughout the pandemic.
- As a result of their struggle for land rights, more than 66% of Paraguay’s indigenous communities live in poverty and in areas lacking basic infrastructure and access to quality health care. The pandemic has exacerbated this situation, and indigenous groups have called upon the government to increase their investment in their communities in the 2022 budget by addressing land restitution, indigenous rights and pandemic recovery.
- Women, particularly poor women and women-headed households, face great inequalities in the labor market compared to men in regards to their rates of employment, levels of informality and hours of unpaid work. The pandemic has exacerbated these pre-existing gaps, as women are overrepresented in the hard-hit service and commercial sectors and have taken on more unpaid domestic and care duties.
- Paraguayan youth unemployment has grown throughout the pandemic and is of special concern because 70% of the population is under the age of 40. In response, the government is investing in training and education programs for youth, supporting young entrepreneurs and creating more flexible work arrangements to especially support women with children.
- The use of online learning during the pandemic has been particularly beneficial for women and girls. They have been able to continue their education while fulfilling their care duties at home, allowing them to access non-traditional and higher paying jobs.
- Although Paraguay has experienced a less severe pandemic-induced drop in GDP relative to other Latin American nations, this macroeconomic view obscures the high levels of poverty and inequality in the country. Rising prices have particularly impacted the poorest sectors of society. Poverty is expected to increase by 2.3% by the end of 2021, principally due to inflation, representing almost one-third of Paraguay’s population.
- The government has highlighted that subsidies for informal workers and monetary transfers mitigated increases in poverty in comparison to other countries in the region. While these measures did expand the social protection system, critics say there is an urgent need to maintain and develop these advances including extending the system to include informal workers who make up almost 70% of the country’s labor force. Many Paraguayans, especially women, do not have access to benefits such as health insurance and social security, providing them with a limited safety net during times of economic downturn.
- As a result of rising poverty and the country’s fragmented social protection system, Paraguayan children are at an increased risk for child labor. Investments in quality education, poverty reduction measures and support for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are ways to protect children in Paraguay.
- Because of the country’s low attendance at vaccination clinics and subsequent low vaccination rate, the Minister of Health has noted that it may not be possible for children to return to in-person classes after summer vacation despite the Ministry of Education and Science’s desire to do so. Virtual learning has particularly impacted low-income families who do not have reliable access to technology.
- To meet gaps in state aid, ollas populares—community soup kitchens— emerged during the pandemic as the only means of food for many low-income families. In September 2021 Congress voted to end state funding for ollas populares and allocate the funding to other assistance programs within the Economic Consolidation and Social Containment Law despite continued backlash against this measure.
- Doctors in Paraguay ended their strike to demand a budget expansion to accommodate equal pay and hours, but they note that they plan to mobilize again soon. The country’s health care system has been overwhelmed by COVID-19, lacking sufficient supplies and medications, and doctors state that they feel abandoned by the government after their dedicated service throughout the pandemic.
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SPRING 2021
Governance and the Rule of Law
Paraguay was once praised for its response to the pandemic. However, the presence of the Brazilian variant and the country’s lagging vaccination campaign have led to a peak rate of COVID-19 infections, deaths in the country, and an overwhelmed health care system. The government has been accused of corruption and ineptitude regarding their management of the pandemic and vaccine procurement and distribution. A recent impeachment bid against President Mario Abdo Benítez and large-scale protests demonstrate Paraguayans distrust of their government and long-standing political inefficiencies in the country.
- Once praised for containing the spread of COVID-19, in recent months Paraguay has experienced a rapid increase in cases and deaths due to delayed receipt of vaccines and the country’s proximity to Brazil where a more contagious variant has developed. Paraguay currently has the second highest number of deaths per million inhabitants worldwide and is projected to reach an even more critical period in the months of June and July as the country continues along an alarming trajectory.
- In response to the deteriorating health situation, the government introduced a strict curfew and restrictions on restaurants and social gatherings. These guidelines were relaxed somewhat in mid-May 2021, but the country plans to maintain capacity limits for many activities and has been issuing fines and using the police and military to enforce compliance with health policies.
- The rise in cases and deaths has caused the country’s healthcare system to collapse, as patients form lines outside of hospitals, receive treatment in chairs due to a lack of beds, and pay a premium to receive private healthcare. The government has been focused on strengthening the system by expanding existing facilities and building new healthcare centers, but the pandemic has only served to exacerbate the fragmented and inequitable nature of healthcare in Paraguay.
- In addition to being at capacity, hospitals also lack supplies and have been requiring patients to provide their own medication, causing many Paraguayans to go into debt or to turn to raffles and other forms of social solidarity to finance healthcare. In response, the government launched the Pytyvõ medication subsidy which provides Paraguayans with a subsidy to purchase medication at pharmacies if their family member is a patient in the Intensive Care Unit at one of ten hospitals.
- President Mario Abdo Benítez faced a failed impeachment bid on March 17th, 2021, fueled by large-scale protests calling for his resignation due to the government’s mismanagement of the pandemic and a lack of medical supplies in the country. The current political turmoil builds upon a historical legacy of political corruption, weak institutions, societal inequities and the concentration of power among President Abdo Benítez’s conservative Colorado party.
- A principal grievance focuses on the country’s vaccination program, which has one of the lowest completion rates in Latin America with only 2% of the population partially vaccinated. Vaccine procurement has proven difficult for developing nations such as Paraguay, who has only received a fraction of the doses it has purchased and has been reliant on donations from other countries because the COVAX agreement, which guarantees the nation access to 4.2 million doses, has faced logistical challenges and delays in distribution.
- Paraguay does not have diplomatic relations with China because it recognizes Taiwan as the legitimate republic of China and has therefore been unable to access the Chinese vaccines that have been used throughout the region. As Paraguay looks to secure vaccines to support its lagging campaign, the country has become an example of the growing role of vaccine diplomacy in foregin relations as China, Taiwan and the U.S. each seek to promote their interests while helping the country secure vaccines.
- Although Paraguay created systems to foster vaccine transparency, the country joins several other Latin American nations in facing a vaccination scandal, as it has been reported that over 500 powerful and well-connected individuals received their vaccine ahead of others. In response, one senator has resigned, and President Abdo Benítez has introduced a Health Emergency Bill which includes a section to punish public officials who participate in irregular vaccination or theft of medical supplies.
- Some critics have called the Health Emergency Bill authoritarian in that it gives a legal framework for authorities such as the National Police and Ministry of Health to harshly punish public officials and civilians who violate health measures. The President defended the bill, saying it is meant to create a participatory process by involving other state institutions and Congress in decisions surrounding the pandemic rather than the continued use of presidential decrees granted under the current Health Emergency law.
- Schools may determine the modality of their instruction, but the Minister of Education is encouraging students to return to school due to limited access to technology for some families. More than ¾ of students in Paraguay have continued with online learning due to the deteriorating health situation in the country and concerns from educators regarding a lack of sanitary supplies and poor school infrastructure.
- In response to the highly contagious Brazilian COVID-19 variant and rising case numbers, Paraguay is now requiring arrivals from Brazil to quarantine for a week upon arrival into the country, which they may do at a hotel or a free state shelter.
- Municipal elections were postponed from November 2020 to October 2021 given the risk of the virus. COVID-19 may have a large impact on the country’s future political direction due to recent unrest surrounding the ruling Colorado party’s management of the pandemic combined with a young electorate who has been active in the protests.
Growth and Innovation
As the pandemic reaches its most critical point in Paraguay, health restrictions have proven especially damaging to small and medium sized businesses and the service industry. Many of these businesses belong to the informal sector; the country has been focused on introducing measures to incentivize formalization, so that employees can access social protection measures from the government. From a macroeconomic standpoint, the country shows signs of resiliency, as it experienced the smallest 2020 GDP contraction in Latin America, but the continued impact of the pandemic threatens 2021 growth.
- Paraguay’s 2020 gross domestic product (GDP) contracted .6% according to the Central Bank of Paraguay, the smallest in Latin America, and was supported by the construction and agriculture industries. The 2021 GDP, originally predicted to grow by 4%, is now predicted to only grow 3.5 % due to the slow vaccine rollout and the prolonged pandemic in the country which has caused a decrease in consumption and placed restrictions on the service industry.
- As a result of needing to invest public funds into healthcare, Paraguay has paused construction of a bridge with Brazil so that it can divert the $30 million earmarked for the project to the Ministry of Health, as the country works to strengthen its healthcare system in the midst of the ongoing pandemic.
- Paraguay’s two binational hydroelectric power firms, Itaipú and Yacyretá, will be required by law to allocate all resources from their social corporate responsibility funds to purchasing medication and supplies for the overwhelmed Paraguayan health system. Both firms emphasized they were already investing in this manner, but have resisted allowing the Comptroller General to audit their investments.
- Although Paraguay has experienced a less severe drop in GDP relative to other Latin American nations, this macroeconomic view obscures the large levels of inequality and poverty in the country and that the economy is primarily based on informal labor, which makes up at least 70% of the workforce.
- Paraguay has one of the lowest debt to GDP ratios in Latin America at 35.2% of GDP despite taking on almost $2 billion in additional debt to finance pandemic related spending. This is however a larger percent than in previous years and therefore the government is focused on reducing their deficit.
- In October Brazil and Paraguay re-opened their borders to facilitate economic reactivation, however Argentina, the third country of the“Triple Frontera” commercial hub, has maintained that the health conditions are not conducive to opening the border between the three countries. As the Brazilian variant spreads and the health situation continues to deteriorate in Paraguay, the economic stability of this region has become more precarious.
- The government will not continue its general Pytyvõ Program to support informal workers due to the high investment required to maintain the program and is instead focusing on providing subsidies to both formal and informal workers located on the economically hard-hit Argentine border. The program will prioritize larger payments to formal workers, raising concerns surrounding protections for informal workers who have been particularly impacted by the border closure.
- Paraguay has presented a new system for formalizing small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) by exempting them from fines and creating a digital platform to facilitate quick and simple registration. Over 70% of employment in Paraguay is concentrated in SMEs, but 96% of these businesses belong to the informal sector and therefore do not pay taxes to the government and have been unable to access many of the social protection measures throughout the pandemic.
- In light of the impact of health restrictions, Paraguay will continue to provide 50% of the current minimum wage through June 2021 to formal workers who have been suspended from their jobs due to COVID-19. An audit will be conducted of participating companies in response to recent claims of fraud in which businesses reported the suspension of employees who continued to work and had their salaries paid by the government.
- The government has announced measures such as payment deferrals and tax breaks and is considering expanding access to credit to support the restaurant and tourism industries who have been especially affected by recent health protection measures. These industries have questioned the restrictions, which they feel are selective, and have called on the government to provide them with a subsidy because the support that has been provided is not sufficient or immediate enough.
- The prolonged pandemic and restrictions on mobility have led to an increase in unemployment from 7.2% in quarter four of 2020 to 8.1% in the first quarter of 2021. Business leaders are concerned that the prolonged effect of government restrictions have particularly impacted SMEs and say that the government has not done enough to protect or incentivize formal employment, as large increases in informal employment have been reported during the pandemic.
- In a testament to the growing role of vaccine diplomacy, Paraguay is considering partnering with Russia to begin domestic production of the Sputnik V vaccine, something that Russia has done with other countries in the region. If the deal moves forward, vaccines would only be produced by the private sector who would then provide them to the state.
- Paraguay ranks amongst the lowest in Latin America in terms of its production and innovation capabilities, raising concerns about the post-pandemic recovery process and the lack of technological progress.
Social and Cultural Inclusion
Paraguay has been critiqued for lacking a coordinated and sufficient response to address community needs amid growing unemployment and hunger, and this fragmented social protection system has pushed more Paraguayans into poverty. Women, children, and indigenous communities have emerged as particularly vulnerable groups, while social unrest due to the government’s mismanagement of the pandemic has led to accusations of excessive use of force among the police force.
- Paraguay has been criticized for lacking an effective plan to address vulnerable populations as existing programs lack sufficient funds, clarity or guidance, while political relationships have impacted the distribution of aid.
- Due to this fragmented nature of the social protection system and the lack of unemployment insurance, more Paraguayans have been pushed into poverty, reaching a level of 26.9% of the population at the end of 2020 compared to 23.5% the previous year. The government has highlighted that subsidies for informal workers and monetary transfers mitigated these increases compared to other countries in the region, but critics say these numbers show the urgent need to reform the economic model and social welfare system in Paraguay.
- To meet gaps in state aid, ollas populares—community soup kitchens—have emerged as many low-income families only means to access food. Agriculture is one of the main economic activities in Paraguay, but many families lacked the resources to access food even prior to the pandemic, highlighting the high levels of inequality in the country.
- Health care workers went on strike in early March due to insufficient supplies and medication to treat patients. Several health care workers have died due to lack of protective equipment, and health care workers emphasize they are exhausted and frightened for their health.
- Wealthy Paraguayans have been traveling to the United States in order to get vaccinated, as the trip itself costs less than paying for COVID-19 treatment in Paraguay’s overextended and under supplied hospitals. Until large amounts of vaccines reach Latin American countries, vaccine tourism is likely to continue, underscoring the need for coordinated international distribution to ensure vaccine access is not predicated upon income level.
- The Paraguayan police are being investigated for excessive use of force during demonstrations that began March 5th, 2021, protesting the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These events build upon denouncements in the past year against police tactics used in previous protests and to enforce quarantine.
- Paraguay’s indigenous communities have been particularly hard hit by the pandemic, and many feel overlooked by the government as they face rising unemployment, hunger, poverty and lack of adequate healthcare. Indegenous groups have also received little help from the government in the face of continued challenges to their ancestral lands including forced evictions, violent attacks, and concerns regarding pollution from chemicals used for farming.
- Human rights organizations are criticizing Paraguayan authorities’ investigation into the death of two Argentine girls at the hands of a Paraguayan military task force, stating that COVID-19 was used as an excuse to destroy evidence and not follow protocol. Argentina has asked Paraguay to reopen the investigation and offered the services of their forensic team, but the Paraguayan government has rejected this proposal.
- Because women in Paraguay are typically responsible for the majority of household duties, their unpaid workload has increased significantly during the pandemic, especially compared to men, with newly added responsibilities, such as caring for the sick and educating children. Women have also faced higher levels of unemployment, as they have lost their jobs at three times the rate of men and homes with children have a 30% higher unemployment rate than those without.
- In the first months of 2021, the country has seen a return to pre-pandemic levels of child sexual abuse. It is unlikely that the numbers decreased during the pandemic but rather that children had a more difficult time reporting abuse during quarantine and that the adults that typically report these cases, such as teachers, were not in regular physical contact with children.
- Rates of discrimination and violence towards members of the trans community have almost doubled during the pademic. Additionally, many trans individuals did not receive benefits from the government’s Pytyvõ program for informal workers.
- 3% of low-income families have internet access at home thus limiting their ability to participate in online classes, work from home, and utilize telehealth resources. These disparities raise concerns of the widening of pre-existing inequalities.
FALL 2020
Governance and the Rule of Law
Paraguay was one of the first countries in the region to begin a national lockdown. Now, the country is easing restrictions as cases and hospitalizations have plateaued. The government remains focused on economic growth and implementing structural change to create a more efficient public administration.
- At 2.2%, Paraguay continues to have one of the lowest mortality rates for COVID-19 in Latin America. In part, this has been attributed to President Mario Abdo Benítez’s early leadership with the implementation of a national lockdown.
- President Abdo Benítez announced a new health plan effective from November 16 through December 6 that continues previous measures to ease preventative isolation measures with the addition of activities such as funerals, group sports up to 14 people and children’s activities.
- Health officials note that the country has reached a plateau or even slight decline in terms of cases and deaths. However they emphasize that social distancing and mask wearing must continue as the public moves to outdoor gatherings in the summer months, which should also help to limit the spread of the virus.
- Paraguay’s 21% COVID-19 positivity rate is well above the 5% rate the World Health Organization recommends to relax social distancing restrictions. It is also likely that the country has an underreported number of confirmed cases due to only testing certain groups of people.
- Paraguay has joined the Covax agreement through the World Health Organization which will provide speed and access to participating countries once a vaccination is ready. The country also plans to purchase vaccines directly from companies.
- Paraguay’s economic reactivation plan Ñapu’ã Paraguay will also entail structural reforms as it aims to make public spending more efficient and improve the capacity and management of the state
- Amidst deteriorating work conditions and widespread journalist layoffs, news reports are raising concerns over the quality of information delivered by the media and violation of workers rights.
- The government suspended in-person classes for students until December to stop the spread of the virus but will require public school teachers to be present at schools to distribute class materials and food and administer virtual classes.
- Residents of the Caapucú district have staged multiple demonstrations against their lack of water and the lack of governmental action, resulting in the closure of route PY01. They have asked for local assistance to no avail and are now appealing directly to President Benítez for help.
- As of November 16, repatriated Paraguayans arriving via airplane will no longer be required to quarantine in state shelters, provided they can show a negative PCR test from the past 72 hours or prove they previously contracted COVID-19 90 days prior to their arrival.
- Municipal elections have been postponed for up to one year given the risk of the virus.
Growth and Innovation
Paraguay’s informal economy has been hit particularly hard by the pandemic, especially due to the border closure of the Triple Frontera between Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. Still, the country shows signs of resiliency and is predicting economic growth in 2021.
- Paraguay’s gross domestic product (GDP) is now expected to shrink 1.5% this year compared to earlier estimates of 5%. The change is due to easing of quarantine restrictions and government policies supporting household incomes and businesses.
- Paraguay has been called the most resilient economy in the region during the COVID-19 pandemic, as it has contracted the least during the second quarter due to its dependence on agriculture. The country is predicted to experience economic growth in 2021.
- Óscar Llamosas has been named the new Minister of Finance, as the former Minister, Benigno Lopez, resigned. Lllamosas has stated one of his priorities is to continue with the “Ñapu’ã Paraguay” economic reactivation plan which focuses on economic growth, sustainable public finances, and social protections for economically vulnerable sectors of the population.
- The Inter-American Development Bank has approved a $15 million loan to Paraguay to support small and medium sized businesses.
- Paraguay has one of the highest levels of informality in Latin America, at an estimated 65% of the workforce. The pandemic has highlighted the limited protection of these workers who have been particularly impacted from the closure of the Triple Frontera.
- In October Brazil and Paraguay re-opened their borders to facilitate economic reactivation, however Argentina, the third country of the“Triple Frontera” commercial hub, has maintained that the health conditions are not conducive to opening the border between the three countries.
- The government has almost completed its second subsidy payment through the Pytyvõ Program to support informal workers. Only those who registered for the first payment are eligible for the additional funds. A third payment is awaiting approval from Congress.
- Paraguay ranks amongst the lowest in Latin America in terms of its production and innovation capabilities, raising concerns about the post-pandemic recovery process and the lack of technological progress.
- Despite statements from the Ministry of Finance that the Paraguayan public debt is unsustainable, the government is seeking to raise $292 million through bond sales and loans to finance social programs.
Social and Cultural Inclusion
Paraguay has been critiqued for lacking a coordinated and sufficient response to address community needs amid growing unemployment and hunger. Women, children, and indigenous communities have emerged as particularly vulnerable groups.
- Paraguay has been criticized for lacking an effective plan to address vulnerable populations and that existing programs lack sufficient funds, clarity or guidance while political relationships have impacted the distribution of aid.
- To meet gaps in state aid, ollas populares—community soup kitchens—have emerged to provide food to the hungry and have recently received additional government funding.
- Despite changes to public health guidance regarding air travel, those returning to Paraguay via land will still be required to quarantine in shelters. These centers have been critiqued for operating with substandard health conditions.
- Prior to COVID-19, the government had declared a state of emergency for indigenous communities. Pandemic-exacerbated unemployment has led to increased concerns about hunger, poverty, and lack of adequate healthcare, as many indigenous communities feel overlooked by the government.
- Before the pandemic, the indigenous Ayoreo Totobiegosode people lived in voluntary isolation in the Gran Chaco forest. Deforestation, which has continued during the COVID-19 crisis, threatens their way of life and destroys their legally-recognized lands.
- Women’s groups are protesting the recent death of two Argentine girls at the hands of a Paraguayan military task force and claiming that quarantine and health measures are being used as a means to suppress democracy and freedom of expression.
- Because women in Paraguay are typically responsible for the majority of household duties, their unpaid workload has increased significantly during the pandemic, especially compared to men, with newly added responsibilities, such as caring for the sick and educating children.
- Rates of discrimination and violence towards members of the trans community have almost doubled during the pademic. Additionally, many trans individuals did not receive benefits from the government’s Pytyvõ program for informal workers.
- 3% of low-income families have internet access at home thus limiting their ability to participate in online classes, work from home, and utilize telehealth resources. These disparities raise concerns of the widening of pre-existing inequalities.
SUMMER 2020
Governance and the Rule of Law
Paraguay was one of the first countries in the region to go on national lockdown and now has one of the lowest death rates for COVID-19 in the Latin American region. Although critics are skeptical if real change will come, the government has begun state reform after Paraguayans vocalized their concerns over structural economic inequality.
- Paraguay has one of the lowest death rates for COVID-19 in Latin America. In part, this has been attributed to President Mario Abdo Benitez’s early leadership with the implementation of national lockdown.
- President Abdo Benítez has been criticized for pushing a privatized reform of the public health care system right before the pandemic hit.
- Paraguayans have vocalized their discontent with the structural weaknesses of the political system, which have been exacerbated by the pandemic. The government, in conjunction with Paraguay’s political, economic, and social sectors, has proposed a political reform to address citizens’ concerns.
- Critics of the state reform argue that the proposal is only aimed at easing tensions, not at creating legitimate structural change.
- In an effort to be transparent, the government has set up a website to provide information on donations received from the private sector for the strengthening of the national COVID-19 response (https://rendicionescovid19.cird.org.py/).
- Amidst deteriorating work conditions and widespread journalist layoffs, news reports are raising concerns over the quality of information delivered by the media and violation of workers rights.
- The media and society in Paraguay have taken a warlike tone in their rhetoric surrounding the pandemic.
- The government decided to suspend in-person classes until December to preemptively stop the spread of the virus during the winter season and prevent strains on the medical system.
- Municipal elections have been postponed for up to one year given the risk of the virus.
Growth and Innovation
Before the pandemic, Paraguay’s economy was expected to recover after floods and drought in 2019. The informal economy has been hit particularly hard, and the pandemic has highlighted the limited protection of informal workers. The Minister of Finance is optimistic about Paraguay’s recovery post-pandemic.
- Paraguay’s agricultural sector was expected to bounce back after drought and floods last year, and economic growth was expected to be strong. Given the pandemic, gross domestic product (GDP) is now expected to shrink 5%this year.
- The pandemic has impacted Paraguay’s public finances, caused consumption and investment to plummet, and contracted the import of capital goods to 60% lower than the previous year.
- The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved a loan to Paraguay meant to support temporary transfer programs, increase the healthcare budget, and provide subsidies and tools to small and medium-sized enterprises (SME).
- The Minister of Finance, Benigno Lopez, has expressed optimism in reviving the Paraguayan economy, citing the growth in the economy from August 2019 to February 2020.
- Paraguay has one of the highest levels of informality in Latin America. The pandemic has highlighted the limited protection of informal workers.
- Parliament approved an anti-crisis fiscal package that includes additional spending on health and social protections, assistance for informal workers, and financial support to small businesses.
- The government has lowered value-added tax (VAT) on medical supplies to 5 percent and eliminated import tariffs on them.
- Paraguay raised $1 billion through selling bonds in an effort to raise funds for the COVID-19 response. A citizen initiative called Todos por Paraguay raised $675,000 on national television to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers and fund soup kitchens for people in need.
Social and Cultural Inclusion
There are concerns over Paraguay’s ability to handle individuals returning to the country and the conditions of shelters where they must quarantine. Indigenous communities are organizing amongst themselves to provide assistance, as government help has been seemingly absent.
- As the pandemic has highlighted social issues, citizens have taken to protesting from their homes in cacerolazos—organized banging of pots and pans—and online forms of protests with campaigns such as #bastaprivilegios.
- As reports surface of many families without money going hungry, Paraguay has been criticized for its inability to aid families that rely on the informal economy.
- The Paraguayan Human Rights Coordinator (CODEHUPY) has criticized the substandard health conditions in shelters where Paraguayans are forced to quarantine after arriving from outside the country.
- Many Paraguayans have slept on the streets at Friendship Bridge, an area which connects Brazil and Paraguay, because Paraguay has been able to accommodate all migrants looking to return to the country.
- Paraguay has launched an accessible communication service to ensure that individuals with disabilities are able to receive extensive information about COVID-19.
- With unemployment affecting indigenous people disproportionately and lack of state assistance to relieve them, hunger is a grave concern for many indigenous communities in Paraguay.
- Paraguay has been criticized for not engaging in an intercultural dialogue to better assist its indigenous people. Therefore, indigenous communities have self-isolated themselves and have found different means to assist each other.
- Out of nine public universities and 46 private universities in Paraguay, only 10 have an online platform for its students and trained staff equipped to handle remote learning.
- Paraguay’s efforts to provide opportunities to rural communities and stop deforestation for marijuana cultivation have been halted due to the pandemic.
- There is growing concern as positive cases have been identified inside of Tacumbú, one of Paraguay’s most overcrowded prisons.
Select resources for Paraguay:
Governance and the Rule of Law Fall 2021:
ABC Color. (2021, 19 de octubre). Paraguay aún debe US $154 millones por la compra de vacunas anticovid. https://www.abc.com.py/nacionales/2021/10/19/paraguay-recien-pago-cerca-de-us-52-millones-para-comprar-dosis-anticovid/.
————. Baja concurrencia a vacunatorios: “No creo que lleguemos” al objetivo, lamenta ministro de Salud. (2021, 6 de diciembre). https://www.abc.com.py/nacionales/2021/12/06/baja-concurrencia-a-vacunatorios-no-creo-que-lleguemos-al-objetivo-lamenta-ministro-de-salud/.
————. (2021, 7 de diciembre). Decreto presidencial actualiza medidas sanitarias por covid-19. https://www.abc.com.py/nacionales/2021/12/07/decreto-presidencial-actualiza-medidas-sanitarias-por-covid-19/.
BBC News Mundo. (2021, 30 de noviembre). Ómicron: Confirman los primeros casos de la nueva variante del coronavirus en América Latina. https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-59479355.
Centro de Análisis y Difusión de la Economía Paraguaya. (n.d.). Gestión de Fondos de Covid: Responsabilidad y transparencia en las respuestas de Covid. http://www.cadep.org.py/2021/06/gestion-de-fondos-de-covid/.
La Nación. (2021, 11 de octubre). Hechos de violencia, a la orden del día. https://www.lanacion.com.py/politica_edicion_impresa/2021/10/11/hechos-de-violencia-a-la-orden-del-dia/.
————. (2021, November 2). Ejecutivo extiende restricciones sanitarias hasta el 16 de noviembre. https://www.lanacion.com.py/politica/2021/11/02/ejecutivo-extiende-restricciones-sanitarias-hasta-el-16-de-noviembre/
————. (2021, 7 de noviembre). COVID-19: En octubre hubo 10 días sin fallecidos y 32 víctimas en total. https://www.lanacion.com.py/pais/2021/11/07/covid-19-en-octubre-hubo-10-dias-sin-fallecidos-y-32-victimas-en-total/.
————. (2021, 19 de noviembre). Votá LN: baja concurrencia en vacunatorios es por circulación de falsas informaciones, según lectores. https://www.lanacion.com.py/pais/2021/11/19/vota-ln-baja-concurrencia-en-vacunatorios-es-por-circulacion-de-falsas-informaciones-segun-lectores/.
————. (2021, 1 de diciembre). Supermercados serán vacunatorios y restaurantes darán incentivos en alianza con el Gobierno contra el COVID. https://www.lanacion.com.py/negocios/2021/12/01/supermercados-seran-vacunatorios-y-restaurantes-daran-incentivos-en-alianza-con-el-gobierno-contra-el-covid/.
————. (2021, 8 de diciembre). Operativo retorno: Buses repletos y cero acatamiento de las medidas sanitarias. https://www.lanacion.com.py/pais/2021/12/08/operativo-retorno-buses-repletos-y-cero-acatamiento-de-las-medidas-sanitarias/.
Ministerio de Salud Pública y Bienestar Social. (2021, 5 de noviembre). COVID-19 se encuentra en fase de expansión. https://www.mspbs.gov.py/portal/24308/covid-19-se-encuentra-en-fase-de-expansion.html.
————. (2021, 2 de diciembre). Atención: Nuevo calendario vigente de vacunación anticovid. https://www.mspbs.gov.py/portal/24480/atencion-nuevo-calendario-vigente-de-vacunacion-anticovid.html.
————. (2021, 3 de diciembre). Crece la cifra de infectados por COVID-19. https://www.mspbs.gov.py/portal/24489/crece-la-cifra-de-infectados-por-covid-19.html.
Noticias ONU. (2021, 24 de septiembre). Las vacunas contra la COVID-19 no llegaron a tiempo a Paraguay, denuncia su presidente. Noticias ONU. https://news.un.org/es/story/2021/09/1497442.
Página12. (2021, 11 de octubre). Los principales intendentes de Paraguay fueron reelectos luego de una violenta campaña. PAGINA12. https://www.pagina12.com.ar/373960-los-principales-intendentes-de-paraguay-fueron-reelectos-lue.
Politi, D. (2021, October 6). With Rich Countries Paying More for Vaccines, the Supply for Latin America is Falling Short, the W.H.O. says. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/06/world/americas/covax-vaccine-latin-america.html.
Presidencia de la República del Paraguay. (2021, 29 de octubre). Presidente insta a generar conciencia sobre vacunación anticovid para avanzar en la recuperación económica : Presidencia de la República del Paraguay. https://www.presidencia.gov.py/index.php/sala-de-prensa/noticias/presidente-insta-generar-conciencia-sobre-vacunacion-anticovid-para-avanzar-en-la-recuperacion-economica.
Prieto, L. G., Echauri, C., & Filártiga-Callizo, C. (2021, 23 de julio). Hacia las Elecciones Municipales 2021 en Paraguay: Reformas electorales en contexto de pandemia. International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance. https://www.idea.int/es/news-media/news/es/hacia-las-elecciones-municipales-2021-en-paraguay-reformas-electorales-en.
SWI swissinfo.ch. (2021, 5 de noviembre). Paraguay vacunará contra la covid-19 a adolescentes de 14 y 15 años. https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/coronavirus-paraguay_paraguay-vacunar%C3%A1-contra-la-covid-19-a-adolescentes-de-14-y-15-a%C3%B1os/47088380.
Última Hora. (2021, 6 de octubre). Johanna Ortega califica de “gran victoria” publicación de gastos en gestión de Nenecho. https://www.ultimahora.com/johanna-ortega-califica-gran-victoria-publicacion-gastos-gestion-nenecho-n2965020.html.
————. (2021, 29 de noviembre). De suplicar vacunas, a tirar al tacho miles de dosis anti-Covid. https://www.ultimahora.com/de-suplicar-vacunas-tirar-al-tacho-miles-dosis-anti-covid-n2974058.html.
Wapenka, M. E. (2021, 3 de septiembre). Implementación de reformas en medio de crisis sanitaria. Elecciones Municipales en Paraguay. Revista Mundo Electoral. https://revistamundoelectoral.com/articulo-internacional/implementacion-de-reformas-en-medio-de-crisis-sanitaria-elecciones-municipales-en-paraguay/.
Growth and Innovation Fall 2021:
ABC Color. (2021, 20 de septiembre). Avanzando hacia el desarrollo inclusivo. https://www.abc.com.py/opinion/2021/09/20/avanzando-hacia-el-desarrollo-inclusivo/.
————. (2021, 6 de diciembre). El 80% de los emblemas ya bajó desde hoy el precio del gas, según Capagas. https://www.abc.com.py/nacionales/2021/12/06/el-80-de-los-emblemas-ya-bajaron-desde-hoy-el-precio-del-gas-segun-capagas/.
————. (2021, 10 de diciembre). Paso fronterizo con Argentina se abrirá desde el 13 de diciembre. https://www.abc.com.py/nacionales/2021/12/10/paso-fronterizo-con-argentina-se-abrira-el-13-de-diciembre/.
Agencia de Información Paraguaya. (2021, 9 de agosto). Durante la pandemia, se redujo la pobreza extrema en el Paraguay. https://www.ip.gov.py/ip/durante-pandemia-la-pobreza-extrema-ha-caido-en-el-paraguay-refiere-ministra/.
————. (2021, October 24). Abrazá Paraguay: Itapúa se reabre al turismo con sus principales atractivos. https://www.ip.gov.py/ip/abraza-paraguay-itapua-se-reabre-al-turismo-con-sus-principales-atractivos/.
————. (2021, 28 de octubre). Hacienda firmó convenios que permitirán facilitar créditos por US$ 145 millones a mipymes. https://www.ip.gov.py/ip/hacienda-firmo-convenios-que-permitiran-facilitar-creditos-por-us-145-millones-a-mipymes/.
Banco Central del Paraguay. (2021, agosto). Indicador Mensual de la Actividad Económica del Paraguay (IMAEP). https://www.bcp.gov.py/userfiles/files/Informe%20IMAEP-Agosto_2021.pdf.
Banco Central del Paraguay. (2021, octubre). Indicador Mensual de la Actividad Económica del Paraguay (IMAEP). https://www.bcp.gov.py/userfiles/files/Informe%20IMAEP-Octubre_2021.pdf.
Elonce. (2021, 22 de octubre). Comenzó “el período de lluvias” e Itaipú espera que el Paraná recupere caudal. https://www.elonce.com/secciones/sociedad/690349-comenz-ldquoel-perodo-de-lluviasrdquo-e-itaip-espera-que-el-paran-recupere-caudal.htm.
Fondo Monetario Internacional. (2021, 5 de noviembre). Misión del FMI concluye su visita a Paraguay. https://www.imf.org/es/News/Articles/2021/11/05/imf-mission-concludes-staff-visit-to-paraguay.
Martínez, P. (2021, 9 de diciembre). Gobierno extiende reducción de impuestos para varios sectores. Resumen de Noticias. https://www.rdn.com.py/2021/12/09/gobierno-extiende-reduccion-de-impuestos-para-varios-sectores/.
MF Paraguay. (2021, 28 de septiembre). Brecha de infraestructura: Situación y desafíos en Paraguay. https://www.mf.com.py/medios/blog/brecha-de-infraestructura-situacion-y-desafios-en-paraguay.html.
Ministerio de Trabajo, Empleo y Seguridad Social. (n.d.). Modalidades Contractuales. https://www.mtess.gov.py/modalidades-contractuales.
La Nación. (2021, 1 de noviembre). La inflación trepó 7,6% en los últimos 12 meses. https://cdn-www.lanacionpy.arcpublishing.com/negocios/2021/11/01/la-inflacion-trepo-76-en-los-ultimos-12-meses/.
————. (2021, 24 de noviembre). PGN 2022: Senadores alertan sobre alto endeudamiento público. https://www.lanacion.com.py/politica/2021/11/24/pgn-2022-senadores-alertan-sobre-alto-endeudamiento-publico/.
Nea Hoy. (2021, 9 de diciembre). Turismo pospandemia en Paraguay: Las aspiraciones para el 2022 y la apuesta del sector. https://www.neahoy.com/2021/12/09/turismo-pospandemia-en-paraguay-las-aspiraciones-para-el-2022-y-la-apuesta-del-sector/.
Nera, M. (2021, 4 de noviembre). Apertura de fronteras: “Esperemos que antes de fin de año se habilite el paso de Puerto Falcón, que une a Clorinda con Asunción.” Chaco Día Por Día. https://www.chacodiapordia.com/2021/11/04/apertura-de-fronteras-esperemos-que-antes-de-fin-de-ano-se-habilite-el-paso-de-puerto-falcon-que-une-a-clorinda-con-asuncion/.
Presidencia de la República del Paraguay. (2021, 1 de octubre). En setiembre Aduanas registró la mayor recaudación en su historia, con señales de reactivación económica y avances en la formalización. https://www.presidencia.gov.py/index.php/sala-de-prensa/noticias/en-setiembre-aduanas-registro-la-mayor-recaudacion-en-su-historia-con-senales-de-reactivacion-economica-y-avances-en-la-formaliz.
————. (2021, 2 de diciembre). Mandatario anuncia más medidas solidarias de Añua e insta a seguir apostando a la recuperación sanitaria y económica. Presidencia de la República del Paraguay. https://www.presidencia.gov.py/index.php/sala-de-prensa/noticias/mandatario-anuncia-mas-medidas-solidarias-de-anua-e-insta-seguir-apostando-la-recuperacion-sanitaria-y-economica.
PNUD Paraguay. (2021, 23 de septiembre). Presentación “Impacto socioeconómico del COVID19 en Paraguay—2021”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-Q8rm9Tgfc.
Smink, V. (2021, 6 de octubre). 3 problemas inesperados que está generando en Sudamérica la histórica sequía del río Paraná. BBC News Mundo. https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-58771149.
Última Hora. Fitch alerta sobre necesidad de elevar ingresos fiscales. (2021, 6 de noviembre). https://www.ultimahora.com/fitch-alerta-necesidad-elevar-ingresos-fiscales-n2970265.html.
————. (2021, 23 de noviembre). ¿Qué es el plan Añua y qué beneficios ofrece para la gente? https://www.ultimahora.com/que-es-el-plan-anua-y-que-beneficios-ofrece-la-gente-n2973206.html.
————. (2021, 3 de diciembre). Inflación se moderó en noviembre, pero sigue sobre la meta del BCP. ultimahora.com. https://www.ultimahora.com/inflacion-se-modero-noviembre-pero-sigue-la-meta-del-bcp-n2974744.html.
Zárate, J. (2021, 31 de octubre). Fronteras con Argentina: Lenta apertura y veloz contrabando. La Nación. https://www.lanacion.com.py/gran-diario-domingo/2021/10/31/fronteras-con-argentina-lenta-apertura-y-veloz-contrabando/.
Social and Cultural Inclusion Fall 2021:
ABC Color. (2021, 24 de octubre). Padres rechazan plan para extender horario de clases y piden a docentes asumir las consecuencias de sus actos. https://www.abc.com.py/nacionales/2021/10/24/padres-rechazan-plan-para-extender-horario-de-clases-y-piden-a-docentes-asumir-las-consecuencias-de-sus-actos/.
Agencia de Información Paraguaya. (2021, 3 de octubre). Gobierno entregará capital semilla a mujeres de zonas vulnerables. https://www.ip.gov.py/ip/gobierno-entregara-capital-semilla-a-mujeres-de-zonas-vulnerables/.
Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL). (2021). Panorama Social de América Latina, 2020. https://www.cepal.org/sites/default/files/publication/files/46687/S2100150_es.pdf.
Diario Hoy. (2021, 11 de octubre). Médicos levantan huelga “por ahora” aunque no descartan nuevas medidas de fuerza. https://www.hoy.com.py/nacionales/medicos-levantan-huelga-por-ahora-aunque-no-descartan-nuevas-medidas-de-fuerza.
Federación por la Autodeterminación de los Pueblos Indígenas. (2021, 30 de septiembre). Tierras Indígenas en Pandemia. https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/2a1e7ad30b3549d18b298f51f911b524%20/page/page_3/.
Instituto Paraguayo del Indigena. (2021). Plan Nacional de Pueblos Indígenas. https://www.indi.gov.py/application/files/8716/1903/8084/Plan_Nacional_Pueblos_Indigenas_-_version_digital.pdf.
The International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA). (2021). El Mundo Indígena 2021. https://iwgia.org/doclink/iwgia-libro-el-mundo-indigena-2021-esp/eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJpd2dpYS1saWJyby1lbC1tdW5kby1pbmRpZ2VuYS0yMDIxLWVzcCIsImlhdCI6MTYyODgzOTcwNiwiZXhwIjoxNjI4OTI2MTA2fQ.LkgebQC_HjY4zBp8RO9Q2gNi8b2PyjlEDtiPTREy4dE.
MercoPress. (2021, December 8). Inflation once again brings on increase in poverty throghout Paraguay. https://en.mercopress.com/2021/12/08/inflation-once-again-brings-on-increase-in-poverty-throghout-paraguay.
Montt, G., Schmidlin, C., & Recalde, M. (2021). La seguridad social en el Paraguay y sus desafíos en contexto de la COVID-19. Informes Técnicos OIT Cono Sur, N°18 (Santiago, OIT). https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/—americas/—ro-lima/—sro-santiago/documents/publication/wcms_818565.pdf.
MF. (2021, 4 de octubre). Situación del empleo, nivel de informalidad y cobertura social en pandemia. https://www.mf.com.py/medios/blog/situacion-del-empleo-nivel-de-informalidad-y-cobertura-social-en-pandemia.html.
La Nación. (2021, 25 de octubre). Director del MEC destaca acuerdo con docentes que permite concluir el año lectivo. https://www.lanacion.com.py/pais/2021/10/25/director-del-mec-destaca-acuerdo-con-docentes-que-permite-concluir-el-ano-lectivo/.
PNUD Paraguay. (2021, 23 de septiembre). Presentación “Impacto socioeconómico del COVID19 en Paraguay—2021”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-Q8rm9Tgfc.
Tierraviva. Pueblos Indígenas de Paraguay emplazan al Estado para que atienda sus demandas. (2021, 12 de octubre). https://www.tierraviva.org.py/pueblos-indigenas-de-paraguay-emplazan-al-estado-para-que-atienda-sus-demandas/.
————. (2021, 4 de noviembre). Campaña Presupuesto Digno para Pueblos Indígenas 2022. https://www.tierraviva.org.py/campana-presupuesto-digno-para-pueblos-indigenas-2022/.
Última Hora. (2021, 21 de septiembre). Ollas populares: Marito no vetó ley e ignoró el pedido de familias carenciadas. https://www.ultimahora.com/ollas-populares-marito-no-veto-ley-e-ignoro-el-pedido-familias-carenciadas-n2962575.html.
UNICEF. (2021, 30 de agosto). OIT advierte sobre riesgo de aumento de trabajo infantil en Paraguay. https://www.unicef.org/paraguay/comunicados-prensa/oit-advierte-sobre-riesgo-de-aumento-de-trabajo-infantil-en-paraguay.
Governance and the Rule of Law Spring 2021:
ABC Color. (2021, 24 de marzo). Desde el sábado se permitirá solo el “movimiento indispensable.”https://www.abc.com.py/nacionales/2021/03/24/desde-el-sabado-se-permitira-solo-movimiento-minimo-e-indispensable/.
————. (2021, 5 de mayo). De las 8.700.000 vacunas que ya fueron compradas, apenas 194.000 arribaron—Nacionales. https://www.abc.com.py/nacionales/2021/05/05/de-las-8700000-vacunas-que-ya-fueron-compradas-apenas-194000-arribaron/.
————. (2021, 15 de mayo). Ministro de Educación: “Tenemos que volver a clases.” https://www.abc.com.py/nacionales/2021/05/15/ministro-de-educacion-tenemos-que-volver-a-clases/.
AFP. (2021, 11 de mayo). Colectas y rifas para pagar el tratamiento de COVID-19 en Paraguay. France 24. https://www.france24.com/es/minuto-a-minuto/20210511-colectas-y-rifas-para-pagar-el-tratamiento-de-covid-19-en-paraguay.
Bozzolasco, I. G. (2021, marzo). El nuevo «marzo» que agita Paraguay. Nueva Sociedad. https://nuso.org/articulo/paraguay-protestas-abdo/.
Carneri, S. (2021, 4 de mayo). Más de 500 personas vinculadas al poder se saltan la fila de vacunación en Paraguay. El País. https://elpais.com/sociedad/2021-05-05/mas-de-500-personas-vinculadas-al-poder-se-saltan-la-fila-de-vacunacion-en-paraguay.html.
Costa, W. (2021, March 22). Protestors in Paraguay Question Pandemic Response and One-Party Rule. NACLA. https://nacla.org/news/2021/03/22/protests-paraguay-pandemic-colorados.
Cueto, J. C. (2021, 8 de marzo). 3 claves que explican cómo Paraguay pasó de controlar la pandemia a vivir una doble crisis política y sanitaria. BBC News Mundo. https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-56321386.
DW.com. (2021, 8 de marzo). Paraguay: Tercer día consecutivo de protestas contra Mario Abdo Benítez. https://www.dw.com/es/paraguay-tercer-d%C3%ADa-consecutivo-de-protestas-contra-mario-abdo-ben%C3%ADtez/a-56801903.
Harrison, C. (2021, May 12). Vaccines Reignite China vs. Taiwan Debate in Latin America. Americas Society / Council of the Americas. https://www.as-coa.org/articles/vaccines-reignite-china-vs-taiwan-debate-latin-america.
Harrison, C., Hopkins, K., Horwitz, L., & Sonneland, H. K. (2021, January 13). 2021 Elections in Latin America: A Preview. Americas Society / Council of the Americas. https://www.as-coa.org/articles/2021-elections-latin-america-preview.
Hola News. (2021, 24 de marzo). Paraguay espera 100.000 nuevas dosis, la mayor cantidad de vacunas recibidas. https://holanews.com/paraguay-espera-100-000-nuevas-dosis-la-mayor-cantidad-de-vacunas-recibidas/.
Infobae. (2021, 15 de marzo). Paraguay decretó 24 zonas rojas con más restricciones y suspensión de clases presenciales por el rebrote de coronavirus. https://www.infobae.com/america/america-latina/2021/03/15/paraguay-decreto-24-zonas-rojas-con-mas-restricciones-y-suspension-de-clases-presenciales-por-el-rebrote-de-coronavirus/.
La Nación. (2021, 21 de febrero). Escándalo regional de vacunas anti-COVID-19 pone en alerta a Paraguay. https://www.lanacion.com.py/politica/2021/02/22/escandalo-regional-de-vacunas-anti-covid-19-pone-en-alerta-a-paraguay/.
————. (2021, 13 de marzo). Desesperados y sin recursos, familiares de pacientes internados en Clínicas claman ayuda al MSPyBS. https://www.lanacion.com.py/pais/2021/03/13/covid-19-desesperados-y-sin-recursos-familiares-de-pacientes-internados-en-clinicas-claman-ayuda-al-mspybs/.
————. (2021, 16 de mayo). COVID-19: Señalan que periodo más crítico será entre junio y julio. https://www.lanacion.com.py/pais/2021/05/16/covid-19-senalan-que-periodo-mas-critico-sera-entre-junio-y-julio/.
El Nacional. (2021, 12 de mayo). “Ley Garrote”: Lo que específicamente propone el Ejecutivo. https://www.elnacional.com.py/politica/2021/05/12/ley-garrote-lo-que-especificamente-propone-el-ejecutivo/.
Presidencia de la República del Paraguay. (2021, 11 de mayo). Rigen nuevas medidas sanitarias en todo el territorio nacional desde este martes 11 de mayo. http://www.presidencia.gov.py/articulo/40844-rigen-nuevas-medidas-sanitarias-en-todo-el-territorio-nacional-desde-este-martes-11-de-mayo.html.
El Surtidor. (2021, 6 de mayo). El estado de las vacunas anti-covid en Paraguay. https://elsurti.com/es/coronavirus/especial/vacunas-en-paraguay/.
SWI swissinfo.ch. (2021, 19 de marzo). Paraguay recurrirá a las Fuerzas Armadas para habilitar camas hospitalarias. https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/coronavirus-paraguay_paraguay-recurrir%C3%A1-a-las-fuerzas-armadas-para-habilitar-camas-hospitalarias/46463140.
Última Hora. (2021, 18 de marzo). Proponen habilitar hotel salud para quienes vuelven de Brasil. https://www.ultimahora.com/proponen-habilitar-hotel-salud-quienes-vuelven-brasil-n2932115.html.
————. (2021, 24 de marzo). Al esconderse de la gente, Marito solo aumenta la falta de liderazgo. https://www.ultimahora.com/al-esconderse-la-gente-marito-solo-aumenta-la-falta-liderazgo-n2933035.html.
————. (2021, 18 de abril). Orientan a acceder al Pytyvõ y acortan procesos del programa. https://www.ultimahora.com/orientan-acceder-al-pytyvo-y-acortan-procesos-del-programa-n2936584.html.
Growth and Innovation Spring 2021:
ABC Color. (2021, 27 de abril). Empresas cometieron fraude por hasta G. 30.000 millones ante IPS desde inicio de la pandemia. https://www.abc.com.py/nacionales/2021/04/27/empresas-cometieron-fraude-por-hasta-g-30000-millones-ante-ips-desde-inicio-de-la-pandemia/.
————. (2021, 15 de mayo). Las restricciones y la improvisación sanitaria golpean al empleo formal. https://www.abc.com.py/nacionales/2021/05/15/las-restricciones-y-la-improvisacion-sanitaria-golpean-al-empleo-formal/.
Agencia de Información Paraguaya. (2021, 14 de abril). Presidente posterga licitación de puente y redirecciona 30 millones de dólares a Salud. https://www.ip.gov.py/ip/presidente-posterga-licitacion-para-construir-mega-puente-con-brasil-y-recursos-iran-para-salud/.
————. (2021, 28 de abril). Mtess propone exoneraciones en pagos de compromisos para impulsar formalización de Mipymes. https://www.ip.gov.py/ip/ministerio-de-trabajo-propone-exoneraciones-en-pagos-de-compromisos-para-impulsar-formalizacion-de-mipymes/.
Banco Central del Paraguay. (2021, marzo). Informe de Política Monetaria. https://www.bcp.gov.py/userfiles/getFile.php?file=userfiles/files/IPoM_Marzo%202021_vf%282%29.pdf.
Battilana, G. M. (2021, 18 de abril). ¿Qué medidas de asistencia rigen para los golpeados por la pandemia? Hoy. https://www.hoy.com.py/especiales/que-medidas-de-asistencia-rigen-para-los-golpeados-por-la-pandemia.
Canvire-Bacarreza, G., & Sacco Capurro, F. (2021, 12 de febrero). El impacto desigual de la COVID-19 y sus repercusiones en el mercado laboral paraguayo. Banco Mundial Blogs. https://blogs.worldbank.org/es/latinamerica/el-impacto-desigual-de-la-covid-19-y-sus-repercusiones-en-el-mercado-laboral-paraguayo.
Ferreira, N. (2021, 26 de febrero). Hacienda habilitará próximamente inscripciones para que potenciales beneficiarios puedan postular a subsidio. Agencia de Información Paraguaya. https://www.ip.gov.py/ip/hacienda-habilitara-inscripciones-para-que-potenciales-beneficiarios-puedan-postular-subsidio/.
————. (2021, 23 de marzo). Gobierno dispone paquete de medidas para proteger a trabajadores y empresas. Agencia de Informacón Paraguaya. https://www.ip.gov.py/ip/gobierno-dispone-paquete-de-medidas-para-proteger-a-trabajadores-y-empresas/.
Fitch Ratings. (2021, 3 de febrero). Paraguay’s Fiscal Rule Proposal Supports Policy Credibility. https://www.fitchratings.com/research/sovereigns/paraguay-fiscal-rule-proposal-supports-policy-credibility-03-02-2021.
Gimenez, V. (2021). Formalización, crédito, asistencia y comercialización: Los ejes de apoyo a las mipymes en el 2021. Agencia de Información Paraguaya. https://www.ip.gov.py/ip/mic-proyecta-cuatro-objetivos-que-favorezcan-al-sector-mipymes/.
Hola News. (2021, 3 de febrero). Paraguay garantiza compensación a trabajadores suspendidos a causa de la covid-19. Hola News. https://holanews.com/paraguay-garantiza-compensacion-a-trabajadores-suspendidos-a-causa-de-la-covid-19/.
————. (2021, 26 de marzo). La economía paraguaya se contrajo un 0,6 % en 2020, según el Banco Central. Hola News. https://holanews.com/la-economia-paraguaya-se-contrajo-un-06-en-2020-segun-el-banco-central/.
Ministerio de Tecnologías de la Informacion y Comunicación. (n.d.). Formalización y Registro de Empresas – Portal de Servicios MIPYMES Paraguay. https://www.mipymes.gov.py/formalizacion/.
La Nación. (2021, 27 de abril). Hacienda descarta posibilidad de implementar un nuevo Pytyvõ generalizado. https://www.lanacion.com.py/negocios/2021/04/27/hacienda-descarta-posibilidad-de-implementar-un-nuevo-pytyvo-generalizado/.
The Rio Times. (2021, March 25). Paraguay and Chile continue to be the South American countries with the lowest indebtedness. https://riotimesonline.com/brazil-news/mercosur/paraguay/paraguay-and-chile-continue-to-be-the-south-american-countries-with-the-lowest-indebtedness/.
Rodríguez, J. C., Serafini, V., Pisani, M. J., & Zárate, A. C. (2021). Análisis de coyuntura: Economía y sociedad (No. 71). Centro de Análisis y Difusión de la Economía Paraguaya. https://mega.nz/70d2aa86-669e-4617-9bdb-e952488aea3b.
Saavedra, V. (2021, January 27). New Paraguay Law Extends Withholding Tax to Digital Services. MNE Tax. https://mnetax.com/new-paraguay-law-extends-withholding-tax-to-digital-services-42269.
SWI swissinfo.ch. (2021, 4 de mayo). Binacional paraguaya comprará oxígeno y medicamentos con fondos sociales. https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/coronavirus-paraguay_binacional-paraguaya-comprar%C3%A1-ox%C3%ADgeno-y-medicamentos-con-fondos-sociales/46589900.
Social and Cultural Inclusion Spring 2021:
ABC Color. (2021, 20 de marzo). Persiste elevado número de casos de abuso sexual en niños. https://www.abc.com.py/nacionales/2021/03/20/persiste-elevado-numero-de-casos-de-abuso-sexual-en-ninos/.
Aceituno, N. F. (2021, 4 de marzo). La falta de medicamentos harta a los “héroes de la salud” de Paraguay. www.efe.com. https://www.efe.com/efe/america/sociedad/la-falta-de-medicamentos-harta-a-los-heroes-salud-paraguay/20000013-4480119.
Carneri, S. (2021, 21 de marzo). La grave crisis de las comunidades indígenas en Paraguay más allá de la COVID-19. Opinión Bolivia. https://www.opinion.com.bo/articulo/revista-asi/grave-crisis-comunidades-indigenas-paraguay-mas-alla-covid-19/20210319223729812349.html.
Human Rights Watch. (2020, December 2). Paraguay: Flawed Investigation of Argentine Girls’ Killings. Human Rights Watch. https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/12/02/paraguay-flawed-investigation-argentine-girls-killings.
Infonews. (2021, 24 de mazo). Paraguay: Investigan abusos policiales contra manifestantes detenidos. https://www.infonews.com/paraguay/investigan-abusos-policiales-contra-manifestantes-detenidos-n342740.
Llopis, E. (2021, 5 de mayo). “Las ollas populares se han extendido en Paraguay con una implicación esencial de las mujeres.” Rebelión. https://rebelion.org/las-ollas-populares-se-han-extendido-en-paraguay-con-una-implicacion-esencial-de-las-mujeres/.
Última Hora. (2021, 7 de marzo). Para expertos, pandemia evidenció una grave desprotección social. https://www.ultimahora.com/para-expertos-pandemia-evidencio-una-grave-desproteccion-social-n2930437.html
————. (2021, 4 de abril). Analistas urgen revisión del modelo económico para disminuir la pobreza. https://www.ultimahora.com/analistas-urgen-revision-del-modelo-economico-disminuir-la-pobreza-n2934497.html.
————. (2021, 11 de abril). Vuelos a EEUU salen llenos, pero advierten que no hay “turismo de vacunación.” https://www.ultimahora.com/vuelos-eeuu-salen-llenos-pero-advierten-que-no-hay-turismo-vacunacion-n2935624.html.
Governance and the Rule of Law Fall 2020:
ABC Color. (2020, 22 de septeimbre). COVID-19: Rechazan supuestas violaciones de derechos humanos en albergues. https://www.abc.com.py/nacionales/2020/09/22/rechazan-supuestas-violaciones-de-derechos-humanos-en-albergues/.
————. (2020, 5 de octubre). Médico señala que hospitales siguen llenos y remarca que solo hubo un cambio de estrategia. https://www.abc.com.py/nacionales/2020/10/05/doctor-senala-que-hospitales-siguen-llenos-y-remarca-que-solo-hubo-un-cambio-de-estrategia/.
Clarín. (2020, 6 de noviembre). Coronavirus: Paraguay eliminará cuarentena obligatoria para viajeros que ingresen por aeropuertos internacionales. https://www.clarin.com/viajes/coronavirus-paraguay-eliminara-cuarentena-obligatoria-viajeros-ingresen-aeropuertos-internacionales_0_E_gjbaSj4.html.
Ferreira, N. (2020, 16 de noviembre). Plan Ñapu’ã Paraguay contempla reformas estructurales para mejorar la gestión pública. Agencia de Información Paraguaya. https://www.ip.gov.py/ip/el-plan-napua-paraguay-contempla-reformas-estructurales-para-mejorar-gestion-publica/.
Ministerio de Salud Pública y Bienestar Social. (2020, 2 de octubre). Salud recomienda avanzar sin fases desde este lunes. https://www.mspbs.gov.py/portal/21845/salud-recomienda-avanzar-sin-fases-desde-este-lunes.html.
————. (2020, 8 de octubre). Reportes-COVID19. https://www.mspbs.gov.py/reporte-covid19.html.
La Nación. (2020, 11 de noviembre). Paraguay firmó convenio para tener acceso a vacunas exitosas. https://www.lanacion.com.py/pais/2020/11/11/covid-19-paraguay-firmo-convenio-para-tener-acceso-a-vacunas-exitosas/.
————. (2020, 16 de noviembre). “Paraguay espera segunda oleada para febrero o marzo del 2021”, aseguran. https://www.lanacion.com.py/pais/2020/11/16/covid-19-paraguay-espera-segunda-oleada-para-febrero-o-marzo-del-2021-aseguran/.
Our World in Data. (2020, October 8). Coronavirus (COVID-19) Testing—Statistics and Research. https://ourworldindata.org/coronavirus-testing.
Presidencia de la República del Paraguay. (n.d.). Ejecutivo dispone nuevas medidas sanitarias en todo el país del 5 al 25 de octubre. https://www.presidencia.gov.py/noticia/39088-ejecutivo%20dispone-nuevas-%20medidas-sanitarias-en-todo-el-pais-del-5-al-25-de-octubre.html#.X35iwu0pBEa.
————. (2020, 15 de noviembre). Rigen nuevas medidas sanitarias en todo el país, a excepción de Caacupé, hasta el 06 de diciembre. https://www.presidencia.gov.py/noticia/39457-rigen-nuevas-medidas-sanitarias-en-todo-el-pais-a-excepcion-de-caacupe-hasta-el-06-de-diciembre.html#.X7MGXlBOlPY.
Ramírez, E. (2020, 16 de noviembre). Piden ayuda a Mario Abdo Benítez para Caapucú que necesita agua. ABC Color. https://www.abc.com.py/nacionales/2020/11/16/piden-ayuda-a-mario-abdo-benitez-para-caapucu-que-necesita-agua/.
Growth and Innovation Fall 2020:
ABC. (2020, 6 de agosto). Gremios consideran que Pytyvõ es insuficiente y reclaman abrir fronteras. https://www.abc.com.py/nacionales/2020/08/06/gremios-consideran-que-pytyvo-es-insuficiente-y-reclaman-abrir-fronteras/.
Agencia de Información Paraguay. (2020, 7 de octubre). Gobierno realizará desde este jueves el segundo pago de Pytyvõ 2.0. https://www.ip.gov.py/ip/gobierno-empezara-a-pagar-desde-manana-el-segundo-pago-del-pytyvo-2-0/.
Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe. (2020). Universalizar el acceso a las tecnologías digitales para enfrentar los efectos del COVID-19. CEPAL. https://www.cepal.org/es/publicaciones/45938-universalizar-acceso-tecnologias-digitales-enfrentar-efectos-covid-19.
Ferreira, N. (2020, 29 de octubre). Banco Central estima caída de solo el 1,5% en PIB del Paraguay para el 2020. Agencia de Información Paraguaya. https://www.ip.gov.py/ip/banco-central-estima-caida-del-pib-del-15-para-el-cierre-de-2020/.
The Inter-American Development Bank. (2020, 19 de octubre). Paraguay aumentará la productividad de las MIPYME con apoyo del BID. https://www.iadb.org/es/noticias/paraguay-aumentara-la-productividad-de-las-mipyme-con-apoyo-del-bid.
La Nación. (2020, 15 de noviembre). Latin Focus prevé que Paraguay se recupere de su caída en el 2021. https://www.lanacion.com.py/negocios_edicion_impresa/2020/11/15/latin-focus-preve-que-paraguay-se-recupere-de-su-caida-en-el-2021/.
MercoPress. (2020, 6 de octubre). Brasil y Paraguay analizan reabrir Puente de la Amistad y el paso de la triple frontera. https://es.mercopress.com/2020/10/06/brasil-y-paraguay-analizan-reabrir-puente-de-la-amistad-y-el-paso-de-la-triple-frontera.
Ministerio de Hacienda. (2020). Ñapu՛Ã Paraguay. https://www.set.gov.py/portal/napuaPy/.
Newbery, Charles. (2020, September 28). Paraguay seeks approval for more debt. Latin Finance. https://www.latinfinance.com/daily-briefs/2020/9/28/paraguay-seeks-approval-for-more-debt.
Presidencia de la República del Paraguay. (2020, 2 de octubre). Mandatarios de Paraguay y Brasil acuerdan abrir las fronteras antes del 15 de octubre. http://www.presidencia.gov.py/articulo/39086-mandatarios-de-paraguay-y-brasil-acuerdan-abrir-las-fronteras-antes-del-15-de-octubre.html.
————. (2020, 29 de octubre). Ejecutivo nombra a Óscar Llamosas como nuevo ministro de Hacienda. http://www.presidencia.gov.py/noticia/39362-ejecutivo-nombra-a-scar-llamosas-como-nuevo-ministro-de-hacienda.html.
Última Hora. (2020, 8 de noviembre). Planifican libre tránsito en la Triple Frontera para reactivar la economía. https://www.ultimahora.com/planifican-libre-transito-la-triple-frontera-reactivar-la-economia-n2913101.html.
Social and Cultural Inclusion Fall 2020:
Articulación Feminista Marcosur. (n.d.). Mujeres del Paraguay se pronuncian en defensa de la democracia y contra el autoritarismo. https://www.mujeresdelsur-afm.org/mujeres-del-paraguay-se-pronuncian-en-defensa-de-la-democracia-y-contra-el-autoritarismo/.
Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe. (2020). Universalizar el acceso a las tecnologías digitales para enfrentar los efectos del COVID-19. https://www.cepal.org/es/publicaciones/45938-universalizar-acceso-tecnologias-digitales-enfrentar-efectos-covid-19.
Coordinadora de Derechos Humanos del Paraguay. (2020, 15 de octubre 15). Denuncian que creció la violencia contra personas trans en el marco de la pandemia. http://codehupy.org.py/denuncian-que-crecio-la-violencia-contra-personas-trans-en-el-marco-de-la-pandemia/.
Coordinadora por los Derechos de la Infancia y la Adolescencia. (2020, 19de agosto). Comunidades Indígenas en doble emergencia. https://www.cdia.org.py/2020/08/19/comunidades-indigenas-en-doble-emergencia/.
————. (2020, 8 de octubre). Repercusión de medidas contra el COVID-19 podrían profundizar desigualdades ya existentes en 76 municipios de 15 departamentos de Paraguay. https://www.cdia.org.py/2020/10/08/repercusion-de-medidas-contra-el-covid-19-podrian-profundizar-desigualdades-ya-existentes-en-76-municipios-de-15-departamentos-de-paraguay/.
Costa, W. (2020, September 26). Paraguay’s Pandemic Response Fails IndigenousCommunities. Toward Freedom. https://towardfreedom.org/story/paraguays-pandemic-response-fails-indigenous-communities/.
Foro Indigena del Abya Yala & Fondo Para el Desarrollo de los Pueblos Indígenas de América Latina y el Caribe. (2020, 13 de octubre). Paraguay- Resistir en pandemia en el segundo bosque más extenso de América del Sur. Plataforma Indigena Regional frente al Covid-19. https://indigenascovid19.red/archivos/15449.
Martínez, Esperanza. (2020, junio). Pandemia en Paraguay: Ollas populares, cuando el estado. tarda en llegar. Mujeres por Autonomía y Bienestar. https://ciss-bienestar.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/pandemia-en-paraguay-ollas-populares-cuando-el-estado-tarda-en-llegar.pdf.
Ministerio de Salud Pública y Bienestar Social. (2020, 30 de septiembre). Exposición al humo puede empeorar síntomas de pacientes con COVID-19. https://www.mspbs.gov.py/portal/21827/exposicion-al-humo-puede-empeorar-sintomas-de-pacientes-con-covid-19.html.
La Nación. (2020, 17 de septiembre). Promulgan ley a favor de ollas populares, serán costeadas con fondos de COVID-19. https://www.lanacion.com.py/pais/2020/09/17/promulgan-ley-a-favor-de-ollas-populares-seran-costeadas-con-fondos-de-covid-19/.
Governance and the Rule of Law Summer 2020:
ABC Color. (2020, 1 de junio). Convocan una manifestación contra la reforma del estado. https://www.abc.com.py/nacionales/2020/06/01/convocan-a-una-manifestacion-contra-la-reforma-del-estado/.
Agencia de Información Paraguaya. (2020, 30 de marzo). Gobierno anuncia reforma estructural del estado y reajustes inmediatos en los salarios públicos. https://www.ip.gov.py/ip/gobierno-anuncia-reforma-estructural-del-estado-y-reajustes-inmediatos-en-los-salarios-publicos/.
Coordinadora Derechos Humanos del Paraguay. (2020, 2 de junio). La pandemia desmonta los fundamentos de la reforma de salud privatista que Paraguay impulsa. http://codehupy.org.py/la-pandemia-desmonta-los-fundamentos-de-la-reforma-de-salud-privatista-que-paraguay-impulsa/.
————. (2020, 8 de julio). La sociedad paraguaya es informada sobre la pandemia por periodistas sobre-explotados y en medio de despido masivos.http://codehupy.org.py/la-sociedad-paraguaya-es-informada-sobre-la-pandemia-por-periodistas-sobre-explotados-y-en-medio-de-despidos-masivos/.
Latino USA. (2020, June 26). Uruguay and Paraguay Stop Spread of Coronavirus. https://www.latinousa.org/2020/06/26/uruguayparaguaycovid/.
Ministerio de Salud Publica y Bienestar Social. (n.d.) Rendición de Donaciones Financieras COVID-19. https://rendicionescovid19.cird.org.py/.
————. (n.d.) Reporte COVID-19 Paraguay. https://www.mspbs.gov.py/covid-19.php?url=portal&page=4&q=CORONAVIRUSKhPP.
————. (2020, 27 de abril). Porque Salud recomienda suspension de clases hasta diciembre? https://www.mspbs.gov.py/portal/20832/iquestpor-que-salud-recomienda-suspension-de-clases-hasta-diciembre.html.
————. (2020, 17 de julio). Reportes-COVID19. https://www.mspbs.gov.py/reporte-covid19.html.
Peris Castiglioni, C. (2020, April 22). Paraguay and its Authoritarian Warlike Discourse Against COVID-19. Revista Harvard Review of Latin America. https://revista.drclas.harvard.edu/book/paraguay-and-its-authoritarian-warlike-discourse-against-covid-19.
Presidencia de la Republica del Paraguay. (2020, 29 de abril). Gobierno pone en marcha plataforma para transparentar uso de recursos de la emergencia por el COVID-19. https://www.presidencia.gov.py/noticia/38006-gobierno-pone-en-marcha-plataforma-para-transparentar-uso-de-recursos-de-la-emergencia-por-el-covid-19.html#.XxUne5N
————. (2020, 5 de junio). Ley que establece nuevo calendario electoral quedo promulgada. https://www.presidencia.gov.py/noticia/38232-ley-que-establece-nuevo-calendario-electoral-quedo-promulgada.html#.XxUsq5NKhPP.
Growth and Innovation Summer 2020:
Bakker, B. & Roy, T. (2020, July 2). Paraguay Beats the Pandemic and Seeks New Growth. International Monetary Fund. https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2020/07/01/na0701220-paraguay-beats-the-pandemic-and-seeks-new-growth.
Bruni, J. & Newbery, C. (2020, April 24). Paraguay Comes to Bond Market for Coronavirus Funding. Latin Finance. https://www.latinfinance.com/daily-briefs/2020/4/24/paraguay-comes-to-bond-market-for-coronavirus-funding.
Inter-American Development Bank. (2020, May 18). Paraguay will Strengthen Public Policy and Fiscal Management to Tackle COVID-19. https://www.iadb.org/en/news/paraguay-will-strengthen-public-policy-and-fiscal-management-tackle-covid-19.
International Monetary Fund. (2020, July 17). Policy Responses to COVID-19. https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/imf-and-covid19/Policy-Responses-to-COVID-19#P.
La Nación. (2020, 12 de mayo). Pos-COVID-19: Paraguay tiene grandes posibilidades de reactivar su economía. https://www.lanacion.com.py/politica/2020/05/12/pos-covid-19-paraguay-tiene-grandes-posibilidades-de-reactivar-su-economia/.
United Nations Global Compact. (n.d.) Todos por Paraguay Raises Funds for COVID-19 Response. https://www.unglobalcompact.org/news/4571-06012020?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+UnitedNationsGlobalCompact-LatestNews+%28United+Nations+Global+Compact+-+Latest+News%29.
The World Bank. (2020, April 20). The World Bank in Paraguay. https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/paraguay/overview.
Zubimendi, S. ( 2020, 20 de junio). ¿Por qué es Importante Formalizar la Economia de Paraguay para Superar la Crisis del COVID-19? Inter-American Development Bank. https://blogs.iadb.org/trabajo/es/por-que-es-importante-formalizar-la-economia-de-paraguay-para-superar-la-crisis-del-covid-19/.
Social and Cultural Inclusion Summer 2020:
Benítez, A. (2020, July 30). Why Communities in Paraguay are Cutting Down Forests to Survive. Mongobay. https://news.mongabay.com/2020/07/no-choice-why-communities-in-paraguay-are-cutting-down-forest-to-survive/.
Bridging the Gap. (n.d.) Paraguay Launches an Accessible Communication Service to Inform about COVID-19. https://bridgingthegap-project.eu/paraguay-launches-accessible-communication-service-inform-covid-19/.
Britez, M. (2020, 10 de abril). La educación ante el avance del COVID-19 en Paraguay. Universidad Nacional del Este. https://preprints.scielo.org/index.php/scielo/preprint/view/22.
Canova, P. (2020, May 26). Inside Paraguay’s Coronavirus Shelters. Latino USA & NACLA. https://www.latinousa.org/2020/05/26/insideparaguayshelters/.
Coordinadora de Derechos Humanos del Paraguay. (2020, 24 de abril). Declaración pública: Es inaceptable la situación humanitaria en el Puente de la Amistad. http://codehupy.org.py/declaracion-publica-de-la-secretaria-ejecutiva-sobre-la-inaceptable-situacion-humanitaria-en-el-puente-de-la-amistad/.
————. (2020, 3 de julio). Denuncian insalubridad en albergue para personas que dieron positivo a la enfermedad. http://codehupy.org.py/denuncian-insalubridad-en-albergue-para-personas-que-dieron-positivo-a-la-enfermedad/.
Costa, W. (2020, April 23). Covid-19 Drives Unlikely Changes in Paraguay. NACLA. https://nacla.org/news/2020/04/23/covid-19-change-paraguay.
Desantis, D. (2020, June 11). In Paraguay’s Coronavirus War, Isolation Centers Exact a Heavy Toll. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-paraguay-insight/in-paraguays-coronavirus-war-isolation-centers-exact-a-heavy-toll-idUSKBN23I1NV.
La Nación. (2020, 7 de agosto). COVID-19 en Tacumbu: Ya son 52 los casos positivos en la cárcel y esperan más resultados. https://www.lanacion.com.py/pais/2020/08/07/covid-19-en-tacumbu-ya-son-52-los-casos-positivos-en-la-carcel-y-esperan-mas-resultados/.
Noticias ONU. (2020, 18 de mayo). El coronavirus devasta a las comunidades indígenas y proporciona la violación de sus derechos. https://news.un.org/es/story/2020/05/1474532.
Tierraviva a los Pueblos Indigenas del Chaco. (n.d.) Paraguay y COVID-19: Pueblos indígenas entre el hambre, el riesgo, y la indiferencia. http://www.tierraviva.org.py/paraguay-y-covid-19-pueblos-indigenas-entre-el-hambre-el-riesgo-y-la-indiferencia/.