New ANDE President Miguel Báez Reyes appointed to Itaipú Binacional board

Miguel Báez Reyes, the current president of Paraguay's National Electricity Administration (ANDE), has officially been appointed as a member of the Itaipú Binacional's Board of Directors. The appointment, formalized through Executive Decree No. 6514 dated August 6, 2026, sees Báez Reyes stepping into the role previously held by Héctor Richer Becker.

This significant change within the binational hydroelectric dam's administration does not affect the position of Félix Sosa, the former president of ANDE. Sosa, who led the state-owned electricity company from August 2020 through both the Mario Abdo Benítez and Santiago Peña administrations, continues to serve as a board member. Báez Reyes' appointment fills the seat vacated by Richer Becker, rather than the position institutionally tied to the ANDE presidency.

The decree cites Article 238 of the National Constitution and the Itaipú Treaty (Law No. 389/1973) as its basis. According to Annex A of the treaty, the Itaipú Board of Directors comprises 12 members: six appointed by Brazil and six by Paraguay. Paraguay's contingent includes one nominee from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and two from ANDE. Báez Reyes, a career ANDE official and former technical manager, previously represented the company for fifteen years on Itaipú's Joint Operation Commission.