Brazil–Paraguay relations are

foreign relations A state's foreign policy or external policy (as opposed to internal or domestic policy) is its objectives and activities in relation to its interactions with other states, unions, and other political entities, whether bilaterally or through m ...

between

Brazil Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with over 217 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area ...

and

Paraguay Paraguay (; ), officially the Republic of Paraguay ( es, República del Paraguay, links=no; gn, Tavakuairetã Paraguái, links=si), is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to th ...

History

Brazil–Paraguay relations have improved greatly after Brazilian President Lula's decision in 2009 to triple its payments to Paraguay for energy from a massive

hydro-electric dam Hydroelectricity, or hydroelectric power, is electricity generated from hydropower (water power). Hydropower supplies one sixth of the world's electricity, almost 4500 TWh in 2020, which is more than all other renewable sources combined and ...

on their border, ending a long-running dispute. Under the accord, Brazil will pay Paraguay $360m a year for energy from the jointly-operated Itaipu plant. Brazilian President

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (; born Luiz Inácio da Silva; 27 October 1945), known mononymously as Lula, is a Brazilian politician, trade unionist, and former metalworker who is the president-elect of Brazil. A member of the Workers' Party ...

called it a "historic agreement" and the deal slated as a political victory for Paraguayan President

Fernando Lugo Fernando Armindo Lugo Méndez (; born 30 May 1951) is a Paraguayan politician and laicized Catholic bishop who was President of Paraguay from 2008 to 2012. Previously he was a Roman Catholic priest and bishop, serving as Bishop of the Diocese ...

. But deep-rooted problems remain in the relationship between the two countries, foremost of which are the unfavorable terms of the 1973 Itaipú Treaty under which Paraguay must sell hydro energy to Brazil as a derisory price and the presence of 300,000 Brazilian mainly soybean farmers in Paraguay, who pay minimal tax and have produced an exodus of small farmers from rural areas.

Brazil is home to 43,731 Paraguayan citizens. Most Paraguayan Brazilians live in the States of Brazil, state of

São Paulo São Paulo (, ; Portuguese for ' Saint Paul') is the most populous city in Brazil, and is the capital of the state of São Paulo, the most populous and wealthiest Brazilian state, located in the country's Southeast Region. Listed by the Ga ...

. In addition, Paraguay is home to hundreds of thousands of Brazilian immigrants, or

Brasiguayos Brasiguaio ( Portuguese) or brasiguayo (Spanish) is a term referring to Brazilian migrants in Paraguay and their descendants. The word Brasiguaio has been used by members within and outside this group to categorize individuals whose lives are conn ...

, whose presence has caused tension in border regions.

Paraguay Coup of 2012

In June 2012 Paraguay's senate voted 39–44 to dismiss president

from office. The events have been criticized by leaders of many Latin American nations including Argentina and Venezuela. As a result, Paraguay was suspended from the South American Trade Bloc, which included

Argentina Argentina (), officially the Argentine Republic ( es, link=no, República Argentina), is a country in the southern half of South America. Argentina covers an area of , making it the second-largest country in South America after Brazil, th ...

Uruguay Uruguay (; ), officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay ( es, República Oriental del Uruguay), is a country in South America. It shares borders with Argentina to its west and southwest and Brazil to its north and northeast; while bordering ...

, and the then-recent addition of

Venezuela Venezuela (; ), officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela ( es, link=no, República Bolivariana de Venezuela), is a country on the northern coast of South America, consisting of a continental landmass and many islands and islets in th ...

. However, Paraguay reintegrated into the trade block after the suspension.

Recent relations

Brazil–Paraguay relations are good. Paraguay’s president since 2018,

Mario Abdo Benítez Mario Abdo Benítez (; born 10 November 1971) is a Paraguayan politician who has served as the president of Paraguay since 2018. He was previously a senator and President of the Senate. Early life and education Abdo Benítez was born in Asun ...

, enjoys a close relationship with right-winger Brazilian President since 2019, Jair Bolsonaro. In February 2019, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro praised the late military strongman of Paraguay,

Alfredo Stroessner Alfredo Stroessner Matiauda (; 3 November 1912 – 16 August 2006) was a Paraguayan army officer and politician who served as President of Paraguay from 15 August 1954 to 3 February 1989. Stroessner led a coup d'état on 4 May 1954 with t ...

, calling him "a man of vision." Bolsonaro made the comments during a ceremony at the Itaipu hydroelectric dam on the countries' shared border. At his side was Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benitez.

Diplomatic missions

;Of Brazil *

Asunción Asunción (, , , Guarani: Paraguay) is the capital and the largest city of Paraguay. The city stands on the eastern bank of the Paraguay River, almost at the confluence of this river with the Pilcomayo River. The Paraguay River and the Bay o ...

(Embassy and Consulate-General) *

Ciudad del Este Ciudad del Este (, Spanish for Eastern City; often shortered as CDE) is the second-largest city in Paraguay and capital of the Alto Paraná Department, situated on the Paraná River. It is located 327 km from Asunción, the capital, and is ...

(Consulate-General) *

Salto del Guairá Salto del Guairá () is a city in Paraguay. It is the capital of the department of Canindeyú. The city is located about 200 km north of Ciudad del Este. It borders the Brazilian municipality of Guairá, across the Paraná River which ma ...

(Consulate-General) * Pedro Juan Caballero (Vice-Consulate) * Encarnación (Vice-Consulate) * Concepción (Vice-Consulate) ;Of Paraguay *

Brasília Brasília (; ) is the federal capital of Brazil and seat of government of the Federal District. The city is located at the top of the Brazilian highlands in the country's Central-West region. It was founded by President Juscelino Kubitsche ...

(Embassy) *

Curitiba Curitiba () is the capital and largest city in the state of Paraná in Brazil. The city's population was 1,948,626 , making it the eighth most populous city in Brazil and the largest in Brazil's South Region. The Curitiba Metropolitan area ...

(Consulate-General) * Río de Janeiro (Consulate-General) *

(Consulate-General) *

Campo Grande Campo Grande (, ) is the capital and largest city of the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul in the Center-West region of the country. The city is nicknamed ''Cidade Morena'' ("Swarthy City" in Portuguese) because of the reddish-brown colour o ...

(Consulate) *

Foz do Iguaçu Foz do Iguaçu (''Iguazu River Mouth'') () is the Brazilian city on the border of Iguaçu Falls. The city is the 7th largest in the state of Paraná. The city's population is approximately 258,000. It is approximately 650 km (400 mi) wes ...

(Consulate) * Guaíra (Consulate) *

Paranaguá Paranaguá (''Great Round Sea'', in Tupi) is a city in the state of Paraná in Brazil. Founded in 1648, it is Paraná's oldest city. It is known for the Port of Paranaguá, which serves as both the sea link for Curitiba, to the west and the ca ...

(Consulate) *

Ponta Porã Ponta Porã is a municipality located in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Its population is 93,937 (2020) and its area is 5,329 km2. It has a dry border and a conurbation with the city of Pedro Juan Caballero in Paraguay. Ponta Po ...

(Consulate) *

Porto Alegre Porto Alegre (, , Brazilian ; ) is the capital and largest city of the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. Its population of 1,488,252 inhabitants (2020) makes it the twelfth most populous city in the country and the center of Brazil's fif ...

(Consulate) * Santos (Consulate)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Brazil-Paraguay relations

Bilateral relations of Paraguay

History

Paraguay Coup of 2012

Recent relations

Diplomatic missions

See also

References