Chaos in Asunción traffic due to new, unforeseen Azara street closure

Asunción experienced significant traffic gridlock due to an unexpected and inconvenient closure of Azara street. The Municipalidad de Asunción, under Mayor Luis Bello, implemented the closure without prior notice at the Tacuarí intersection, coinciding with the dismissal of nearby schools.

The road closure, which also affects General Díaz street, is for hydraulic paving work as part of the "Plan Asu 400 cuadras" initiative. This program involves "recycled" projects from the previous administration that were not executed. The works are part of a road improvement contract valued at G. 9,000 million each for two awarded firms, Constructora Feldmann SA and Covipa SA.

Concerns have been raised as these projects were intended to be financed by G7 bonds issued in 2021 under former mayor Óscar “Nenecho” Rodríguez. However, the funds, originally earmarked for bus station modernization, cannot be located in the municipality's balances over five years later.

The lack of prior dissemination and official information left drivers unprepared, leading to massive traffic jams extending from Peru Avenue. Critical streets like Mariscal Estigarribia, Eligio Ayala, and Teodoro S. Mongelós also became trapped in the congestion. The situation was exacerbated by the complete absence of Municipal Traffic Police (PMT) agents to direct traffic, resulting in chaotic conditions and a free-for-all on the roads.