Paraguay police in Alto Paraná face dire conditions: Dilapidated stations, fuel shortages, and low staff

Police officers in Paraguay's Alto Paraná department are working under what they describe as inhumane conditions, facing dilapidated facilities, fuel shortages, and a lack of personnel.

Out of the 96 police facilities in the department, many are in dire states of disrepair. The Directorate of Police itself operates from a borrowed, old building with issues like leaks, dampness, and broken floors. This building, owned by the Alto Paraná Governorate, prevents the National Police from undertaking necessary construction. Several critical units, including Lince, GEO, and the 911 system base, are housed in this main building, with some, like the Criminalistics unit, operating out of metal containers.

Many smaller stations and sub-stations across the department are also in poor condition. In some municipalities, local governments are stepping in to fund repairs and new constructions for police buildings, such as in Santa Fe del Paraná and Santa Rosa del Monday. This reliance on municipal funds highlights the central government's inadequate support for basic police infrastructure.

Beyond the infrastructure problems, officers face significant operational challenges. The monthly fuel allocation of 3 million Paraguayan guaraníes is insufficient for daily patrols, especially in remote areas, lasting only about 15 days. When fuel runs out, police often rely on community donations. Furthermore, staffing levels are critically low, with some posts having only one officer per shift, making it difficult to cover all necessary services in a region with high commercial activity.