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Paraguay

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Paraguay. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Asunción

Head of State

President Santiago Peña

Head of Government

President Santiago Peña

Students from military schools take part in an “anti-imperialist” protest against the American incursion in Venezuela, in front of the US Embassy in Havana in January. Photo: AFP via Getty Images/TNS

China-Latin America relations

US’ Cuba-China fears, Panama pressure: Latin America relations reads

From Argentina’s shrinking China lifeline to the US’ Cuba worries, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in May 2026.

3 Jun 2026 - 12:38AM

Science

How Lionel Messi’s favourite drink is sparking a major health craze in China

26 May 2026 - 5:26PMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

Beijing calls Paraguay leaders willing ‘chess pieces’ after disputed Taiwan trip

13 May 2026 - 4:08AMvideocam

European Union

South American bloc and EU sign long-awaited FTA amid Trump’s tariffs

The deal creates one of the world’s largest free trade areas after 25 years of tricky negotiations.

18 Jan 2026 - 7:56AM

European Union

EU agrees to ‘world’s largest’ free-trade zone with Mercosur pact after 25 years

The EU sealed the historic deal with Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay to form a 700 million strong bloc, defying fierce farmer opposition.

9 Jan 2026 - 9:59PM

Brazil

Brazil’s former president Bolsonaro has surgery to treat hiccups, wife says

Bolsonaro, 70, had been hospitalised on Wednesday for hernia surgery. In September, he was jailed for 27 years for ‍plotting a coup.

28 Dec 2025 - 7:25AM

China-EU relations

EU facing crunch talks over Ukraine, China and its economic future

EU leaders are set to meet amid growing concern in Brussels that the bloc’s divisions will impede meaningful action across a range of issues.

18 Dec 2025 - 2:07PMvideocam

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc had to decide what option it wanted to take to ensure Ukraine received funding. Photo: dpa

United States

US revokes visas for 6 foreigners over Charlie Kirk-related speech

The news came as Trump posthumously awarded the right-wing activist the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honour.

15 Oct 2025 - 7:39AMvideocam

US-China relations

China warns US over military build-up as warships head towards Venezuela

Stance highlights Beijing’s alignment with Caracas as the Trump administration escalates its pressure campaign.

22 Aug 2025 - 1:52AM

US-China trade war

Paraguay eyes Chinese parts assembly plan amid US tariff war with China, Brazil

Effort comes as pressure mounts for country to review recognition of Taiwan.

13 Aug 2025 - 3:25AM

Paraguay’s President Santiago Pena delivers a speech after a meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Asuncion in July. Photo: AFP

Taiwan

Taiwanese leader Lai in one of his ‘worst moments’ as approval rating falls

Poll finds 42.9 per cent are satisfied with Lai’s performance amid backlash over Typhoon Danas response and his support for recall votes.

19 Jul 2025 - 6:00PMvideocam

William Lai visits Tainan after it was battered by Typhoon Danas in early July. His response was criticised as “tone-deaf”. Photo: Handout

US-China relations

Exclusive | Taiwanese leader said to be planning US ‘stopover’ that’s set to anger Beijing

William Lai could visit New York and Texas on his way to South America, sources say, at a time when US-China relations are already tense.

15 Jul 2025 - 5:04PMvideocam

Taiwan

Paraguay president vows to defend Taiwan ties ‘with all its strength’

Ahead of expected visit by Taiwan’s Lai Ching-te, Peña defends ties as business leaders and opposition lawmakers have pushed for a pivot to Beijing.

15 Jul 2025 - 7:39AM

Diplomacy

Paraguay expels Chinese diplomat for urging lawmakers to sever ties to Taiwan

Xu Wei, senior Chinese envoy to Latin America, is directed to leave the country after telling legislators to recognise mainland China.

7 Dec 2024 - 5:59AM

A meeting in Taipei on July 12, 2023, between Paraguay’s president-elect Santiago Pena and William Lai Ching-te, then Taiwan’s vice-president. Paraguay has expelled a Chinese diplomat for urging Paraguayan legislators to sever ties to Taiwan. Photo: Taiwan’s Presidential Office via AFP

Americas and the Caribbean

Paraguay open to China trade deals via Mercosur trade bloc despite Taiwan ties

The country’s long-standing diplomatic support for the self-governed island has hindered local farmers’ grains exports to China.

22 Aug 2024 - 5:55AM

Paraguay’s President Santiago Pena speaks during an interview in Asuncion, Paraguay, on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

Americas and the Caribbean

‘The police just killed him’: Paraguay lawmaker dies in drug raid shoot-out

A deadly police raid on a prominent Paraguayan congressman’s home has exposed a web of politics and organised crime.

20 Aug 2024 - 1:17PM

Paris 2024 Olympic Games

While you were sleeping: 5 things to know as Haughey and Biles soar at Olympics

Chinese swimmer Pan Zhanle shows his true self at last, while New Zealand’s women’s rugby team strike gold.

31 Jul 2024 - 6:08PMvideocam

Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Chaos, crowd trouble, Argentina defeat marks start of men’s Olympic football

Game between Morocco and South American side delayed for two hours before final minutes played in empty stadium. France, Spain, also make winning starts.

25 Jul 2024 - 7:32AM

Morocco’s Soufiane Rahimi sits on the pitch at Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium, Saint-Etienne, after his side’s troubled win over Argentina. Photo: Reuters

Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Star names in short supply in men’s Olympic football event – Brazil missing too

The Euros and Copa America tournaments, and the event being held outside a Fifa window, have deprived Paris of some of the biggest names.

23 Jul 2024 - 8:22PM

Americas and the Caribbean

Lula ‘scared’ by Maduro’s bloodbath warning ahead of Venezuela vote, president says

Brazil’s President said: ‘I was scared by Maduro’s statements that if he loses the election there will be a bloodbath.’

23 Jul 2024 - 2:40AMvideocam

Hong Kong China Rugby

Hong Kong stun Brazil on South American tour to send Rugby World Cup message

Win completes a tour that has made Hong Kong’s potential inclusion in 2027 World Cup seem a little less far-fetched.

21 Jul 2024 - 7:08PM

Hong Kong’s James Sawyer stands tall during a maul in the Sao Paulo heat. Photo: Hong Kong China Rugby

Belt and Road Initiative

In a first, Brazil reveals plan to join China’s Belt and Road Initiative

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva sees synergy between the mainland’s interests and his country’s infrastructure gap as he pursues tangible results.

20 Jul 2024 - 6:25AMvideocam

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva says his administration is preparing a proposal to join the China-centred trade and infrastructure scheme. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong China Rugby

Hong Kong bounce back from loss in South American tour opener to beat Paraguay

Head coach Andrew Douglas’ team, who claimed their fourth victory from five matches in 2024, will wrap up the tour with a clash against Brazil.

14 Jul 2024 - 7:12PM

Hong Kong China Rugby

Hong Kong ready for angry Chile, with Asia poised to be handed World Cup spot

Head coach Andrew Douglas champions idea of entering city team in Japanese domestic rugby, ‘it is a model that could fit us’

5 Jul 2024 - 5:30PM

Americas and the Caribbean

Exclusive | What is Milei’s China agenda? Argentina’s envoy on trade, space and Global South

Buenos Aires’ Beijing ambassador, Marcelo Suarez Salvia, says the two countries are navigating towards ‘promising horizon’ of opportunities.

5 Jul 2024 - 1:24AMvideocam

Paris 2024 Olympic Games

China women cruise through in Monaco to seal final Olympic rugby sevens spot

Favourites going into the tournament, China breeze past Kenya in the final, while South Africa claim men’s place at expense of Great Britain.

4 Jul 2024 - 4:04PM

China’s women celebrate winning the World Rugby Sevens Repechage in Monaco. Photo: World Rugby

Hong Kong China Rugby

Hong Kong taking high-risk approach to winning fifth successive ARC title

Victory over South Korea will secure Asia Rugby Championship and cement team’s spot as second-best side in region, and coach Andrew Douglas wants his side to play expansive game.

22 Jun 2024 - 9:00AM

Paris 2024 Olympic Games

China, Hong Kong women get Olympic 7s repechage off to flying start in Monaco

Chong Ka-yan scores hat-trick as Hong Kong beat Paraguay 33-15, China demolish Mexico 55-0 in opening games of repechage event.

4 Jul 2024 - 4:09PM

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Paraguay

US’ Cuba-China fears, Panama pressure: Latin America relations reads

From Argentina’s shrinking China lifeline to the US’ Cuba worries, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in May 2026.

How Lionel Messi’s favourite drink is sparking a major health craze in China

Beijing calls Paraguay leaders willing ‘chess pieces’ after disputed Taiwan trip

South American bloc and EU sign long-awaited FTA amid Trump’s tariffs

The deal creates one of the world’s largest free trade areas after 25 years of tricky negotiations.

EU agrees to ‘world’s largest’ free-trade zone with Mercosur pact after 25 years

The EU sealed the historic deal with Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay to form a 700 million strong bloc, defying fierce farmer opposition.

Brazil’s former president Bolsonaro has surgery to treat hiccups, wife says

Bolsonaro, 70, had been hospitalised on Wednesday for hernia surgery. In September, he was jailed for 27 years for ‍plotting a coup.

EU facing crunch talks over Ukraine, China and its economic future

EU leaders are set to meet amid growing concern in Brussels that the bloc’s divisions will impede meaningful action across a range of issues.

US revokes visas for 6 foreigners over Charlie Kirk-related speech

The news came as Trump posthumously awarded the right-wing activist the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honour.

China warns US over military build-up as warships head towards Venezuela

Stance highlights Beijing’s alignment with Caracas as the Trump administration escalates its pressure campaign.

Paraguay eyes Chinese parts assembly plan amid US tariff war with China, Brazil

Effort comes as pressure mounts for country to review recognition of Taiwan.

Taiwanese leader Lai in one of his ‘worst moments’ as approval rating falls

Poll finds 42.9 per cent are satisfied with Lai’s performance amid backlash over Typhoon Danas response and his support for recall votes.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | Taiwanese leader said to be planning US ‘stopover’ that’s set to anger Beijing

William Lai could visit New York and Texas on his way to South America, sources say, at a time when US-China relations are already tense.

Paraguay president vows to defend Taiwan ties ‘with all its strength’

Ahead of expected visit by Taiwan’s Lai Ching-te, Peña defends ties as business leaders and opposition lawmakers have pushed for a pivot to Beijing.

Paraguay expels Chinese diplomat for urging lawmakers to sever ties to Taiwan

Xu Wei, senior Chinese envoy to Latin America, is directed to leave the country after telling legislators to recognise mainland China.

Paraguay open to China trade deals via Mercosur trade bloc despite Taiwan ties

The country’s long-standing diplomatic support for the self-governed island has hindered local farmers’ grains exports to China.

‘The police just killed him’: Paraguay lawmaker dies in drug raid shoot-out

A deadly police raid on a prominent Paraguayan congressman’s home has exposed a web of politics and organised crime.

While you were sleeping: 5 things to know as Haughey and Biles soar at Olympics

Chinese swimmer Pan Zhanle shows his true self at last, while New Zealand’s women’s rugby team strike gold.

Chaos, crowd trouble, Argentina defeat marks start of men’s Olympic football

Game between Morocco and South American side delayed for two hours before final minutes played in empty stadium. France, Spain, also make winning starts.

Star names in short supply in men’s Olympic football event – Brazil missing too

The Euros and Copa America tournaments, and the event being held outside a Fifa window, have deprived Paris of some of the biggest names.

Lula ‘scared’ by Maduro’s bloodbath warning ahead of Venezuela vote, president says

Brazil’s President said: ‘I was scared by Maduro’s statements that if he loses the election there will be a bloodbath.’

Hong Kong stun Brazil on South American tour to send Rugby World Cup message

Win completes a tour that has made Hong Kong’s potential inclusion in 2027 World Cup seem a little less far-fetched.

In a first, Brazil reveals plan to join China’s Belt and Road Initiative

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva sees synergy between the mainland’s interests and his country’s infrastructure gap as he pursues tangible results.

Hong Kong bounce back from loss in South American tour opener to beat Paraguay

Head coach Andrew Douglas’ team, who claimed their fourth victory from five matches in 2024, will wrap up the tour with a clash against Brazil.

Hong Kong ready for angry Chile, with Asia poised to be handed World Cup spot

Head coach Andrew Douglas champions idea of entering city team in Japanese domestic rugby, ‘it is a model that could fit us’

Exclusive | What is Milei’s China agenda? Argentina’s envoy on trade, space and Global South

Buenos Aires’ Beijing ambassador, Marcelo Suarez Salvia, says the two countries are navigating towards ‘promising horizon’ of opportunities.

China women cruise through in Monaco to seal final Olympic rugby sevens spot

Favourites going into the tournament, China breeze past Kenya in the final, while South Africa claim men’s place at expense of Great Britain.

Hong Kong taking high-risk approach to winning fifth successive ARC title

Victory over South Korea will secure Asia Rugby Championship and cement team’s spot as second-best side in region, and coach Andrew Douglas wants his side to play expansive game.

China, Hong Kong women get Olympic 7s repechage off to flying start in Monaco

Chong Ka-yan scores hat-trick as Hong Kong beat Paraguay 33-15, China demolish Mexico 55-0 in opening games of repechage event.

Exclusive | Taiwanese leader said to be planning US ‘stopover’ that’s set to anger Beijing