Asunción Plans Fines for Abandoned Properties to Combat Urban Decay

The Municipality of Asunción, Paraguay, is stepping up its campaign against over 100 abandoned properties in the city's microcenter. These neglected buildings not only mar the urban landscape but also create public health issues and serve as havens for criminals and drug users, contributing to a pervasive sense of insecurity for residents and pedestrians.

Miguel Ángel Stampf, director of Municipal Police Surveillance, highlighted an intensified operational deployment over the past 10 months, claiming more action has been taken than in the previous decade. The municipality has issued 2,857 intervention records across Asunción, focusing on pollution, marginalization, and security in the historic center. The financial impact on offenders is expected to be substantial, with fines potentially reaching G. 23 billion, in addition to the costs incurred by the municipality for cleanup and security measures.

To ensure compliance and payment of sanctions, Stampf detailed the legal process. Fines are registered against the property's cadastral record. Once a summary proceeding is concluded, a precautionary measure is placed on the property or its owner, preventing any future transfer of ownership until the penalty is settled. While respecting the constitutional inviolability of private property, the municipality operates under a legal framework granted by the judiciary.

This framework allows municipal police to enter properties after issuing notifications if owners fail to adhere to relevant ordinances. Among the structures targeted are historic mansions and significant former government buildings, such as the old Ministry of Education and Science (Excelsior building).