Indigenous families survive for over six months by the roadside, seeking assistance

Nine indigenous Mbya Guaraní families have been living in precarious tents on the side of the old PY02 highway near Coronel Oviedo for more than six months. The families, originally from the Parque Guayakí area, were expelled from their community by other indigenous leaders.

Led by Silvio Duarte, the families survive on the solidarity of neighbors and citizens for food and basic necessities. They face intense cold, continuous rain, and other weather inclemencies, with minimal safety and sanitation conditions. Remaining by the roadside poses a constant risk, particularly to the children.

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we were practically abandoned and depend on the solidarity of neighbors and citizens to get food and other basic elements to subsist.

The indigenous people have repeatedly appealed to the Caaguazú Governorate and the Paraguayan Indigenous Institute (INDI) for land to re-establish their community and ensure children can attend school. However, they report receiving no favorable response.

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we need urgent relocation to have a decent and safe place to rebuild our community and stop depending on the occasional assistance of citizens.

José Garcete, head of Indigenous Affairs for the Caaguazú Governorate, stated that the group receives constant assistance and has been relocated to their communities multiple times, only to return to the city shortly after. He suggested that many prefer urban areas for public and citizen assistance and noted that land provision by INDI can take years.

Meanwhile, the families continue to endure harsh weather conditions along the PY02 highway, awaiting a definitive solution from the competent authorities.

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this group receives assistance constantly and, on several occasions, were transferred back to their communities, but returned shortly after to the city.