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Paraguay: Indigenous Group Sprayed Aerially with Pesticides

Eduardo Avila — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:02:59 +0000

In eastern Paraguay, 217 members of the Ava Guaraní indigenous community recently came down with health symptoms that include nausea and headaches. It is believed that these individuals became sick as a result of intentional aerial spraying with pesticide, after they refused to vacate their ancestral lands.

Governmental officials confirm that parts of the indigenous group's land located in the Itakyry district in the Department of Alto Paraná had been sprayed where no crops are present [es]. Many of the signs point to Brazilian soy growers as those responsible for the spraying, in part because the indigenous community's land is valuable for the crop and that they had been in a dispute with the Ava Guaraní over the ownership of approximately 3,000 hectares [es], according to the blog Interparaguay [es].

José Ángel López Barrios of Bienvenidos! [es] describes the isolated community where the incident took place:

Itakyry es uno de los distritos del Departamento de Alto Paraná, distante a unos 450 kilómetros de Asunción, capital de la Republica, se llega a el por caminos no pavimentados, su época de esplendor se dio en la época de las explotaciones yerbateras. Que termino al cabo de 100 años abriendo paso a la explotación de la soja en estos últimos tiempos……

Itakyry is one of the districts of the Department of Alto Paraná, located 450 kilometers from the capital city of Asunción. One arrives by unpaved roads, its heyday was during the yerba maté cultivation. This ended after 100 years, making way for the soy cultivation during recent times……

It is demand for soybeans, and the rising prices, which makes land suitable for this crop at such a high premium. Some of this land is located on ancestral lands of indigenous communities, such as the Guaraní. Blogger Carlos Rodríguez of Rescatar [es] does not think that the spraying incident against the indigenous group is an isolated incident, and calls the act “genocide”:

Hubo un tiempo en que en Paraguay los aborígenes no eran considerados seres humanos. Eran cazados como animales y sus crías rescatadas como trofeos.

(…)

Otros fueron apropiándose a bala y sangre de sus tierras y como los indígenas no hacían gestiones ante las instituciones encargadas de titular las tierras que siempre les pertenecieron, el hombre blanco si lo hizo y se plantea el contrasentido de que los legítimos dueños de estas tierras, hoy son “los invasores”.

Y siguen siendo tratados como animales. Sólo así se puede entender que los productores de soja les envíen aviones fumigadores para lanzarles venenos encima, tal como lo ha comprobado el Ministerio de Salud que socorre en estos momentos a los indígenas intoxicados por plaguicidas para soja.

There was a time in Paraguay when the aboriginals were not considered human beings. They were hunted like animals and their offspring collected like trophies.

(…)

Some of their land was appropriated with bullets and blood, and as the indigenous did not go to the institutions in charge of of providing titles to the lands that always belonged to them, the white man did go to these institutions, it makes no sense that the rightful owners of these lands are now the “invaders.”

They continue to be treated like animals. It is only this way that one can understand how the soy producers can send fumigation planes to spray poison on top of them, which was proven by the Ministry of Health, which is now helping the indigenous poisoned by pesticides.

López Barrios is also ashamed of the history of mistreatment of indigenous communities in Paraguay [es]. As a descendant of emigrants to the country, he writes that the incident “makes him feel like returning to Europe ….but really … prefers that the exploiters leave.”

Ensañarse con un pueblo indígena que tiene más de 38 siglos de existencia en sus propios y verdaderos territorios, no me parece apropiado…. Si no respetamos a nuestros mayores nuestros días se acortaran sobre la tierra y si anteponemos la avaricia a cualquier otra virtud caeremos sin remedio…..

To resent an indigenous group with more than 38 centuries in existence on their own and true territory, does not seem appropriate to me…. If we do not respect our elders, our days on earth will be shortened, and if greed is placed ahead of any other virtue, we will fall hopelessly…..

Paraguay: Addressing the Growing Security Concerns

Belen Bogado — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:46:38 +0000

Two former presidential candidates, two current Senators, and some businesspeople have been calling for an impeachment of President Fernando Lugo for his inability to provide security to the country. However, it has been the recent kidnapping of Fidel Zavala, a cattle rancher who has been captive since October 15 and whose kidnappers have demanded a 5 million dollar ransom, which has really stirred up debate about who is ultimately responsible for the security concerns, what steps should be taken to solve the situation, and whether the blame placed on the President is merely a political maneuver by the opposition.

Zavala was kidnapped by the Paraguayan People's Army (EPP for its initials in Spanish), a terrorist group believed to the continuation of the Patria Libre political party. The EPP is also said to have been advised by Colombia's FARC in 2004 in the kidnapping and murder of Cecilia Cubas [es], daughter of former President Raúl Cubas.

President Fernando Lugo outlines security plan. Photo by Fernando Lugo APC and used under a Creative Commons license.

Liberal senator Alfredo Jaeggli said Lugo should face an impeachment [es] because he is not fulfilling his functions as president by not providing security to Paraguayan citizens. The impeachment idea is also supported by Pedro Fadul and Lino Oviedo, both former presidential candidates and Senator Julio Cesar Velázquez.

What places Lugo in an even more difficult position is that the President has been linked to members involved in Cubas' case, to the point that Cecilia’s mother, Mirta Guzinsky, launched a video during the 2008 presidential campaigns asking citizens not to vote for Lugo [es]. The video has now been revived within the online Paraguayan community through collective emails with the subject line: “What if Mirtha Gusinsky was right?” Lugo was the Bishop of San Pedro department in 2004 when he said he had not heard anything about the kidnap, even though the Cubas case was on every single media utlet in the country at that point.

Debates are ongoing both within the high political spheres and among regular Paraguayan citizens. Blogger José Angel López Barrios, comments on his blog that the government is not now nor has never been equipped to fight the increasing kidnap industry [es]:

Sin duda se aúnan un montón de factores en la sucesión de secuestros que nos acorralan, en 8 años hemos tenido por lo menos 100 secuestros y el único factor común destacable es que quienes deben solucionar estos crímenes no están preparados para ello. (…)

La increíble suma solicitada por los mismos (5.000.000 de dólares) revela que atrás de ese pedido existe la idea de financiar las operaciones del grupo clandestino….

There is no doubt that there are many factors that make the kidnaps possible, which have been haunting us, we have had about 100 kidnaps in the last 8 years and the main outstanding factor is that the people who are supposed to be responsible of solving these crimes are not prepared for the task (…)

The unbelievable sum of money requested by the kidnappers (5 million dollars) reveals that behind their request lies the idea of financing more operations for this clandestine group.

Maki Fretez, a blogger who comments on an ABC Color article, says impeachment is fundamental to reestablish security and safety in Paraguay [es]:

Cambiar al presidente en este momento es una cuestion de superviviencia!, de lo contrario hay que apagar las luces y salir del pais cuanto antes. El juicio politico es un mecanismo constitucional por lo que no puede ser considerado irregular…

Changing the president at this moment is a matter of survival! Otherwise we better turn off the lights and leave the country as soon as possible. A political trial is a constitutional mechanism, so it can’t be considered an irregular measure to take.

Others believe the impeachment flag is being used by politicians to favor their parties and personal interests, and that it is neither helping the kidnapped Zavala’s circumstances, nor improving the situation in the country. Blogger and journalist Alfredo Boccia, writes in his blog Antes del Septimo Día [es]:

La mención al juicio político fue azuzada por buena parte de la oposición, por la prensa -que insinuaba que el silencio de Lugo ocultaba algo- y, por supuesto, por el vicepresidente, quien le dio manija a su fastidiosa y autodestructiva tarea de marcar sus diferencias con el presidente.

En momentos en que se imponían la austeridad de palabras y la reflexión prudente, triunfó la descalificación irresponsable y la vocinglería fanática. El que debería ser la principal preocupación de todos -cautivo en condiciones probablemente dramáticas en los montes del Norte- pasó a un segundo plano.

The political trial idea was incited by the opposition and the press – who insinuated that Lugo’s silence meant he was hiding something- and of course, by the vice president who insisted in his auto destructive and irritating function of pointing out his differences with the president.

At times when it is necessary to use trouble-free words and reflect prudently, the irresponsible disqualification and fanatic clamor prevailed. The person who should have been the main concern – probably captive in dramatic conditions in the forest in the North – became a secondary issue.

As Zavala remains captive, the debate over security concerns continues.

Paraguay: The Kidnapping of Cattle Rancher

Eduardo Avila — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:21:13 +0000

The recent kidnapping of cattle rancher Fidel Santiago Zavala in Paraguay [es] has attracted criticism to President Fernando Lugo for his lack of courage to combat crime, as well as proposals for laws allowing citizens to be armed writes José Angel López Barrios.

Paraguay: Favorite Places to Party in Asunción

Eduardo Avila — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:49:31 +0000

Muna Annahas shares her favorite places to party in the Paraguayan capital of Asunción.

Paraguay: No Funds for Education, but Funds for Arms

Eduardo Avila — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:38:37 +0000

Carlos Rodríguez of Rescatar [es] refers to complaints from the Paraguayan Ministry of Education who says that there are no funds to purchase school supplies, yet the country spends money on purchasing arms.

Paraguay: Venting Sorrows on a Blog

Eduardo Avila — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:35:54 +0000

In the group blog Somos Paraguayos [es] for Paraguayans abroad, David posts about a heartbreak story in Chile and writes, “I didn't know where to vent my sorrow until I found this blog.” He received 25 comments from others offering support and advice.

Paraguay: The Use of the Chapulín Colorado on Campaign Materials

Eduardo Avila — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 13:45:00 +0000

Much to the dismay of Guillermo Verdún of Paraguayo [es], the Colorado Party in Paraguay was found to be using the image of “Chapulín Colorado” (Red Grasshopper), a famous comedic character from Mexican television, on some of its campaign materials. As a result, Verdún wrote to the actor who played the character informing him of what was happening.

Paraguay: Pessimism in the Region

Eduardo Avila — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 16:15:42 +0000

Paraguayans are the most pessimistic in the entire region writes Carlos Rodríguez of Rescatar [es] commenting on a recent study.

Paraguay: President Fernando Lugo's First Year

Eduardo Avila — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 09:10:52 +0000

Despite some of the difficulties over the past year, Carlos Rodríguez of Rescatar [es] writes that Paraguayan President' Fernando Lugo's first year “was positive and was worth it.”

Paraguay: Typical Food Called Sopa

Eduardo Avila — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 19:51:22 +0000

The blog Camino al Paraguay [es] continues by showing foods from the country with 2 posts showing Paraguayan Sopa, which is cooked in a mud oven called a Tatakua.

Paraguay: The Government's Negotiations in the Itaipú Dam

Eduardo Avila — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 03:22:45 +0000

Carlos Rodríguez of Rescatar [es] is pleased with the negotiations between Paraguay and Brazil regarding the binational project of the Itaipú dam. He applauds the actions of President Fernando Lugo for showing “commitment, patriotism, honesty and negotiating ability.”

Paraguay: As the H1N1 Virus Spreads

Belen Bogado — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 01:40:58 +0000

Not getting caught in the traffic jam of España Avenue on a weekday at 2 p.m. is a daunting task. That is why seeing the street almost deserted nowadays is stunning for most Paraguayans. “I’ve never seen something quite like this before, everybody is paranoid now,” says blogger Nora Vega, who commutes to downtown Asunción every day. What is keeping Paraguayans inside their houses is the fast spread of H1N1 virus, which has already claimed three lives and infected hundreds of citizens.

Last week the National Congress declared a national health emergency for 90 days and granted an extra 99 billion guaranies (about 20 million dollars) to the health ministry to deal with the swine flu epidemic.

The government is now analyzing the possibility of extending the two-week winter break for schools to prevent more children from getting the virus. The city hall closed several public buildings and theaters for ten days. The action was taken despite Health Minister Esperanza Martinez’s statements, who warned that this type of measures were not effective to stop the spread of the virus in countries such as Mexico and the United States.

Although the health ministry has only confirmed three deaths officially, it is suspected that at least 15 other deaths are related to the virus. So far 114 cases of infections are official, but there are about 700 other suspicious cases. One of the reasons why these cases cannot be confirmed is because of the shortage of materials to perform the analysis.

Other major concern is the scarcity of antibiotics, especially in the private sector. Journalist and blogger Mabel Rehnfeldt on her blog El Dedo en la Llaga [es] shares the frustration of having two daughters infected with the virus:

Cuando el sábado a la mañana el diario ABC trajo en tapa el titular “SALUD DICE QUE TODO ESTA CONTROLADO” la rabia y la impotencia me ganaron.

(…)

Esperanza y equipo: Den un volantazo. Demuestren que no se van a prestar a mentiras oficiales. Si las cosas están descontroladas (ya sea por falta de recursos o porque es difícil controlar una enfermedad como esta en un país pobre e ignorante), digan que no pueden, que no hay recursos, o gente bien entrenada si es que ya los controles les sobrepasan. Hagan que ayudemos desde el sector privado pero no nos digan que todo está bien cuando los monitoreos no están funcionando.

When I saw on page one of ABC newspaper the headline “HEALTH DEPARTMENT CLAIMS THAT EVERYTHING IS UNDER CONTROL” the anger and helplessness overwhelmed me.

(…)

Esperanza (the health minister) and the rest of the team: show us that you won’t be part of the official lies. If things are not under control (because of the lack of resources or because it is difficult to control a disease like this in a poor and ignorant country), say that you can’t handle it, if you feel overpowered by the situation, say that there are no resources or trained professionals. Request help from the private sector, but don’t tell us that everything is ok when the monitoring of the disease is not working.

Senators reacted to the fast spread of the virus by accusing the health ministry of acting inefficiently. Representative José Lopez even suggested that health minister Martinez should face a Congressional hearing. But not everybody agrees with this stand. Blogger and journalist Susana Oviedo, on her blog Sobre el Punto [es], argues that the government representatives are not telling the truth:

Según demostró la ministra, hace tres meses también que están programadas las respuestas para cada fase de esta pandemia en el país, y se había anunciado que julio y agosto serían los meses críticos. …. Pero evidentemente los políticos, en general, y los que ocupan cargos en la administración del Estado, en particular, no prestaron oídos a estos temas. Estaban envueltos en sus pequeñeces, como siempre.

The minister demonstrated that the responses for each phase of the pandemic have already been established three months ago and that it had been announced that the critical months would be July and August….But it is obvious, that politicians in general, and especially the ones who have positions in the government's administration , did not care to listen. They were involved in irrelevant issues, as always.

As the outbreak extends, Paraguay’s challenges to face the AH1N1 virus increase: the hospitals are overcrowded and as a result, patients are waiting in lines for hours.

Paraguay: The Passing of “Píter”

Eduardo Avila — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 19:53:20 +0000

Peter Balbuena or also simply known as “Píter” recently passed away in Paraguay. He was a tireless advocate and activist for LGBT rights in that country. Marta Escurra of Con el Perdón de la Palabra [es] recalls her conversations with him.

Paraguay: Health Park in Asunción

Eduardo Avila — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 19:45:20 +0000

Muna Annahas discovers the Parque de la Salud (Health Park) in Asunción, Paraguay, which is a open space for residents to exercise and to be surrounded by nature.

Paraguay: The Possibility of a New Bullet Train

Eduardo Avila — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:33:57 +0000

There is speculation that a new bullet train could be built linking the Paraguayan capital city of Asunción with the Brazilian city of Paranaguá and which uses the energy from the Itaipú dam. Carlos Rodríguez of Rescatar [es] thinks that it could be beneficial for the region.