Passion for Paraguay

We have been watching how the Venezuelans are struggling. Over the past two years, many venezuelan families have immigrated into Paraguay. Although the main countries that have seen an influx of venezuelan migrants are Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and the United States, Paraguay has also been a destination.  Just to get some context. Paraguay is 2000 + miles away by plane. It would take 15 days driving to go from Paraguay to Venezuela.  The people that arrived in Paraguay and now attend our church say, that it was impossible to continue living in that country. There is no hope and no future. They have done well in Paraguay. Most people that have come are very good hard working families.  I have been watching the elections in Venezuela on July 28th, and my hope for a better Venezuela have dissipated. It's such a debilitating situation. I live far away, but I feel the pain and despair of the venezuelan people in the distance.  So much pride, so much hate and so much desire ...

For the next 5 years Paraguay will be led by Santiago and Leticia Peña. At age 44 Santiago has become the youngest president to take office in the democratic era of Paraguay.  The colorado (red) primaries were very contested between Santiago Pena and Arnoldo Wiens. Both were plausible candidates. Both, I believe would well represent this nation.  Santiago and his team, have lofty goals. Investing in education is high on their agenda. His first public event after asuncion, was visiting a public school, hanging out with students and reading stories to children. I say good for that, since Paraguay needs to invest heavily in education. Since February of 1989 when Alfredo Stroessner, the last and longest dictator in Latin American history was ousted, Paraguay has had a slow and painful journey towards government for the people.  The country celebrates, and hopes these coming years will bring another layer of development and growth to a nation that has been lagging be...

Paraguay is a great land. At the time of this writing the Argentinean economy is going thru major inflation, Bolivia is struggling with peace after Evo Morales term. Chile also has had its share of troubles. The situation in Venezuela is of common knowledge: Maduro and Guaido are in a power struggle for the number one seat. Since 2014, however, Paraguay’s economy has grown at a 4% average annual rate due to strong production and high global prices, at a time when other countries in the region have contracted. The economy as well as other factors are helping the country recover from what seemed to be a stagnate and very hopeless situation. Its been a ride, since the late 70s when my parents decided to imigrate when I was a little kid. During that time the country was run by president Stroessner. In February 1989 a cue took out 35 year old ruling Stroessner. Then came, Andres Rodriguez, Juan Wasmosy, Raul Cubas, , Gonzales Machi, Nicanor Frutos, Fernando Lugo, Horacio Cartes an...