Officials and citizens protest ruling that threatens Clyfsa

In Villarrica, a palpable sense of solidarity and concern filled the Plaza de Los Héroes as workers and citizens rallied against a judicial decision that threatens the very existence of Compañía de Luz y Fuerza S.A. (Clyfsa). This demonstration is more than just a protest; it's a cry of defiance against what many perceive as a deliberate move to dismantle a vital local enterprise and potentially absorb its services into state control.

The heart of the conflict lies in a court ruling demanding Clyfsa pay a substantial debt stemming from tariff discrepancies since 2017. Compounding this financial strain is the recent implementation of tariff schedule N° 21, which reclassifies Clyfsa from a distributor to an industrial user, dramatically escalating its operational expenses. For the employees and the community, this combination of factors presents an existential threat, pushing the company towards a precipice of technical bankruptcy.

Adding a layer of suspicion to the unfolding events is the growing belief that this legal and financial pressure is a calculated maneuver towards the nationalization of the electricity service in Villarrica. This concern is amplified by the emergence of a draft law proposing structural changes to the electricity service model. While this proposal offers a potential pathway to resolve Clyfsa's accumulated debts and fines, it comes with a significant caveat: upon the expiration of its concession, all of Clyfsa's electrical infrastructure would transfer to the state or the municipality.

From our vantage point at ABC Color, we recognize the deep-seated anxiety within the community. The outpouring of support for Clyfsa underscores its importance not just as an energy provider, but as a cornerstone of the local economy and identity. This is a story that resonates deeply within Paraguay, where the balance between private enterprise, public service, and state intervention is a constant and critical debate. The citizens' voices, amplified in the Plaza de Los Héroes, demand transparency and fairness, urging a resolution that safeguards their energy security and local livelihoods.

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The support of the citizenry moves us and strengthens us in this claim, because we believe that we are...