Paraguay underwent a period of political instability and authoritarian rule in the early 20th century, marked by a series of military coups and dictatorships. General Alfredo Stroessner’s brutal dictatorship (1954–1989) stands out for the widespread human rights violations committed during his 35-year rule. After the return to democracy, a new constitution was drafted in 1992, establishing a presidential system and protections for human rights. The Colorado Party has been in power for over 70 years, except between 2008 and 2013 during President Fernando Lugo´s left-wing presidential term. Still, instability is an issue in the executive, with internal disputes and corruption at all levels of the government.

Paraguay’s current challenges stem from widespread corruption and politicians’ abuse of power. The judiciary and the media lack independence, with judges maintaining affiliations to political parties and the concentration of media ownership within three groups. In recent years, popular protests—which have railed against proposed changes to term limits and the perceived mismanagement of the pandemic – have been met with violence.  Corruption also facilitates organized crime and smuggling, aggravated by the increasing presence of criminal groups from Colombia and Brazil. Allegations that current and former high-ranking officials have been associated with illegal economies, and an increase in political violence, hinder the prospects of significant reform. This is coupled with a fragmented and factionalized party system, compounded by the lack of ideological positions.

Land inequality is a very important challenge, largely driven by the disproportionate concentration of ownership that dates back to Stroessner’s distribution of state-owned land among political allies and personal connections, which created a landowning elite that remains to this day. Conflicts over landownership have been at the center of the country’s struggles. Landlessness and insecure land rights, particularly affecting Indigenous communities in Paraguay, have become an increasingly problematic issue due to pressures from agribusinesses that have led to harsh repression and evictions. Nowadays, landowners and commercial agricultural interests, currently dominated by soy monoculture, prevent the implementation of agrarian legal reforms designed to incorporate peasant populations in economic development. Consequently, despite agriculture being the main driver of economic growth, poverty is significantly higher in rural than in urban areas.

Indigenous Peoples which make up 2 per cent of the population, suffer from high rates of poverty and face challenges in securing their land rights. Gender Equality is also a challenge. Women’s political participation remains low and below the regional average, despite efforts to promote gender parity through electoral reforms. Increasing rates of Femicides, high rates of teenage pregnancies combined with a sexual education curricula that falls short of scientific standards and a draconian abortion ban are among the most concerning issues. LGBTQIA+ people face discrimination and lack legal protection.  

Going forward, it will be important to watch Absence of Corruption, Judicial Independence, and Freedom of the Press, as changes in these factors could impact public trust in government. Also important will be Economical Equality and Social Group Equality as indicators of government action to address land rights, especially those of Indigenous groups. Further, it will be important to observe how challenges regarding Gender Equality are addressed.

Last updated: November 2024