Indigenous communities lift road blockade in Paraguay after agreement on land and roads

Indigenous leaders in Paraguay's Bajo Chaco region temporarily blocked the PY09 highway near Pozo Colorado, demanding the state acquire ancestral lands for the Tooshe Qaltaq community and improve road infrastructure. The protest, organized by the Coordinator of Indigenous Leaders of the Lower Chaco (CLIBCh), caused significant traffic disruptions for about an hour.

The community has reportedly lived on land within the highway's right-of-way for over 30 years and seeks formal acquisition of their ancestral territories. Protesters also called on the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC) to repair and maintain the roads leading to various indigenous villages in the region, which they described as nearly impassable.

Following negotiations, indigenous leaders and representatives from the National Institute of Indigenous Affairs (Indi) signed an agreement to end the blockade. As part of the resolution, a meeting is scheduled in Asunción this Friday with the landowner of the territory the indigenous community aims to acquire. Police provided security coverage during the protest.