Foreign relations of Paraguay

Paraguayan foreign policy has concentrated on maintaining good relations with its neighbors, and it has been an active proponent of regional co-operation. It is a member of the United Nations and has served one term in the UN Security Council in 1967–1969. It maintains membership in several international financial institutions, including the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. It also belongs to the Organization of American States, the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI), the Rio Group, INTERPOL, MERCOSUR (the Southern Cone Common Market) and UNASUR.

At the political level, diplomatic affairs and international relations of Paraguay are officially handled by the Ministry of Foreign Relations, which answers to the executive branch of the government. Minister of Foreign Relations 2018 -2019 was Luis Alberto Castiglioni.

Unlike any other country in South America, Paraguay recognizes the Republic of China instead of the People's Republic of China. Paraguay presently is the largest country maintaining official diplomatic relations with the Republic of China.

Diplomatic relations

List of countries which Paraguay maintains diplomatic relations with:

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Bilateral relations

Africa

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|||2000-02-09<br/>(Diplomatic Relations Severed in January 2014)

Paraguay recognizes the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.

In January 2014, Paraguay officially suspends its relations with Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.

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Paraguay has an embassy in Pretoria.
The South African Embassy at Asunción was closed in December 1996 and the Resident Ambassador to Argentina was subsequently appointed non-Resident Ambassador to Paraguay. South Africa also has an honorary consulate in Asunción.
Both countries are full members of the Cairns Group and G20.
In April 1974, the then president of Paraguay, Alfredo Stroessner made a five-day state visit to South Africa. Paraguay was given a $20 million loan for agricultural development and agreements were signed on economic cooperation. Gen. Stroessner became known as an ally of apartheid South Africa.
Paraguayan Ministry of Foreign Relations about relations with South Africa
South African Department of Foreign Affairs about relations with Paraguay

Americas

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|||1811||See Argentina–Paraguay relations

Argentina has an embassy in Asunción and consulates-general in Asunción, Ciudad del Este and Encarnación).
Paraguay has an embassy in Buenos Aires and consulates in Clorinda, Corrientes, Formosa, Posadas, Resistencia, Rosario and Puerto Iguazú.

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|||||See Bolivia–Paraguay relations

In 2009 Bolivian President Evo Morales and Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo signed an agreement settling a border dispute, which had led to the Chaco War in the 1930s. President Lugo expressed the hope that natural resources could now "be developed and used by both countries" Relations, as with many countries in the area, have had increased tension since the Paraguay impeachment in 2012.

Bolivia has an embassy in Asunción.
Paraguay has an embassy in La Paz and consulate-general in Santa Cruz de la Sierra.

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|||||See Brazil–Paraguay relations

thumb|Border of Brazil and Paraguay

Paraguay–Brazil 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 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 called it a "historic agreement" and the deal slated as a political victory for former Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo.

In February 2019, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro praised the late military strongman of Paraguay, Alfredo Stroessner, 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 his close ally, Paraguayan right-wing President Mario Abdo Benitez.

Brazil has an embassy in Asunción and maintains several consulates throughout the country.
Paraguay has an embassy in Brasília and maintains several consulates throughout the country.

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Canada is accredited to Paraguay from its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Paraguay has an embassy in Ottawa.

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|||||See Colombia–Paraguay relations, List of ambassadors of Paraguay to Colombia

Colombia has an embassy in Asunción.
Paraguay has an embassy in Bogotá.

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|||18 April 1881||See Mexico–Paraguay relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on April 18, 1881.

Mexico has an embassy in Asunción.
Paraguay has an embassy in Mexico City.

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|||2 May 1858||See Paraguay–Peru relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on May 2, 1858.
Paraguay has an embassy in Lima.
Peru has an embassy in Asunción. and an honorary consulate in Ciudad del Este.
Both countries are full members of the Rio Group, of the Latin Union, of the Association of Spanish Language Academies, of the Organization of American States, of the Organization of Ibero-American States and of the Union of South American Nations.
Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Relations about the relation with Paraguay (in Spanish only)

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|See Paraguay–United States relations

A military training agreement with Asunción, giving immunity to US soldiers, caused some concern after media reports initially reported that a base housing 20,000 US soldiers was being built at Mariscal Estigarribia within 200 km of Argentina and Bolivia, and 300 km of Brazil, near an airport which could receive large planes (B-52, C-130 Hercules, etc.) which the Paraguayan Air Forces do not have.

In September 2009 Paraguay's President Fernando Lugo revoked plans for US troops to hold joint military exercises and development projects after stating that he no longer thinks that hosting troops taking part in the US department of defence's "New Horizons" programme was worthwhile. President Lugo referenced strong regional opposition from countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Bolivia and Ecuador to the expansion of US military bases in Colombia in his decision.

Paraguay has an embassy in Washington, D.C., and consulates-general in Los Angeles, Miami and New York City.
United States has an embassy in Asunción.

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|||6 April 1845||See Paraguay–Uruguay relations

Paraguay has an embassy in Montevideo.
Uruguay has an embassy in Asunción.

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|||||See Paraguay–Venezuela relations

Relations between Paraguay and Venezuela improved during Paraguay's leftist President Fernando Lugo (2008–2012), a change from 61 unbroken years of Colorado party rule. President Lugo supported Venezuela's entry into Mercosur however the Colorado Party's influence in Paraguay's Congress and Senate retarded this expansion.

Paraguay and Venezuela restarted negotiations on an unpaid debt of $250 million owed by Paraguayan oil company Petropar to its counterpart Petróleos de Venezuela after the Presidents of Paraguay and Venezuela met to deal with the financing.

In January, 2019, Paraguay cut its diplomatic relations with Venezuela, considering the Venezuelan government of President Nicolas Maduro illegitimate due to disputed election. Diplomatic relations were re-established on 15 November 2023.

Asia

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! style="width:12%;"| Formal Relations Began

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|20 April 2004

|See Azerbaijan-Paraguay relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on April 20, 2004.

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| (Taiwan)||8 July 1957

|See Paraguay–Taiwan relations

Paraguay recognizes the Republic of China as the legitimate government of China.

Taiwan has an embassy in Asunción and a Consulate-General in Ciudad del Este.
Since 1999, Paraguay has had an embassy in Taipei.

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|||13 September 1961

||See India–Paraguay relations

India is represented in Paraguay through its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina and an honorary consulate in Asunción.
Since 2005, Paraguay has had an embassy in New Delhi.

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|||1949

||See Israel–Paraguay relations

Israel has an embassy in Asunción.
Since 2024, Paraguay has an embassy in Jerusalem (previously in Tel Aviv).

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|||17 November 1919||See Japan–Paraguay relations

Japan has an embassy in Asunción.
Paraguay has an embassy in Tokyo.

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|||2003-06-17

Mongolia is accredited to Paraguay through its embassy in Brasilia, Brazil.
Paraguay is accredited to Mongolia through its embassy in Seoul, South Korea.
Mongolia signed a visa-free agreement with Paraguay on 26 September 2019.

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|||15 June 1962||See Paraguay–South Korea relations

Paraguay has an embassy in Seoul.
South Korea has an embassy in Asunción.

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|||1953||See Paraguay–Turkey relations

Paraguay has an embassy in Ankara.
Turkey has an embassy in Asunción.
Croatia is represented in Paraguay through its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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Paraguay is represented in Denmark, through its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
Denmark is represented in Paraguay, through its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Denmark also has an honorary consulate in Asunción.

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|||1853

Both countries has diplomatic relations since the Treaty of Friendship, Trade and Navigation signed in 1853.
France has an embassy in Asunción and an honorary consulate in Ciudad del Este.
Paraguay has an embassy in Paris.
French Ministry of Foreign Relations about relations with Paraguay
Paraguayan Ministry of Foreign Relations about relations with France

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|||1860||See Germany–Paraguay relations

Germany has an embassy in Asunción.
Paraguay has an embassy in Berlin and a consulate-general in Frankfurt.

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Iceland is represented in Paraguay by its embassy in Washington, United States.
Paraguay is represented in Iceland by its embassy in London, United Kingdom.

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|||||See Paraguay–Russia relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on May 14, 1992.
Paraguay has an embassy in Moscow.
Russia is represented in Paraguay through its embassy in Buenos Aires (Argentina) and an honorary consulate in Asunción.
On September 13, 2007, Russia's acting foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, declared to soon open a resident embassy in Paraguay's capital.
Paraguayan Ministry of Foreign Relations

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Paraguay is represented in Slovenia through its embassy in Vienna, Austria and has an honorary consulate in Ljubljana.
Slovenia is represented in Paraguay through its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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|||10 September 1880||See Paraguay–Spain relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on September 10, 1880.
Paraguay has an embassy in Madrid and consulates-general in Barcelona and Málaga.
Spain has an embassy in Asunción.
Both countries are full members of the Latin Union, of the Association of Spanish Language Academies, and of the Organization of Ibero-American States.
Spanish Ministry of Foreign about the relation with Paraguay (in Spanish only)

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Switzerland is represented in Paraguay through its embassy in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Paraguay is represented in Switzerland through its embassy in Paris, France

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||| 4 March 1853 || See Paraguay–United Kingdom relations

thumb|right|[[Foreign Secretary (United Kingdom)|British Foreign Secretary David Lammy with Paraguayan Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez Lezcano in London, July 2025.]]

Paraguay established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 4 March 1853.

Both countries share common membership of the International Criminal Court, the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and the World Trade Organization. Bilaterally the two countries have an Investment Agreement.

Oceania

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|||||See Australia–Paraguay relations

Australia's positive relations with Paraguay are growing. In 2011, Paraguay opened an embassy in Canberra, Australia opened a consulate in Asunción. As agricultural producers and exporters, they work together to achieve fairer international trade in agricultural products through membership of the Cairns Group and cooperation in other multilateral fora. Australia is also increasing its engagement with Paraguay through development cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. An increasing number of Paraguayan students are pursuing their education at Australian institutions.

Australia is accredited to Paraguay from its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Paraguay is accredited to Australia from its embassy in Tokyo, Japan.

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New Zealand is accredited to Paraguay from its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. New Zealand has an Honorary Consulate in Asunción.
Paraguay is accredited to New Zealand from its embassy in Tokyo, Japan.

International organizations

Paraguay is a member of the following international organizations:

CAN (associate), FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD (also known as the World Bank), ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, Rio Group, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO.

References

External links

Foreign Ministry of Paraguay

Diplomatic relations

Bilateral relations

Africa

Americas

Asia

Oceania

International organizations

See also

References

External links