Paraguay: Property owner calls contractor's settlement offer 'extortionate' in land dispute

A property owner in Paraguay has vehemently rejected a contractor's proposed settlement for land expropriated for the Aeropuerto–Roque Alonso road expansion, labeling the terms "extortionate and unacceptable."

James David Ray, whose property was affected by the tripling of the D025 route, claims his land was invaded without authorization and prior payment. He recently re-secured his property after reporting the illegal entry to the authorities. In response, CDD Construcciones, the project's contractor, sent Ray a draft notarial deed.

“

extortionate and unacceptable

The proposed deed stipulated that Ray and his wife must agree to "desist and manage the withdrawal of the police complaint filed, expressly stating that they will not maintain claims arising from the facts that motivated said complaint." This condition was directly tied to the payment of the expropriation compensation.

“

desist and manage the withdrawal of the police complaint filed, expressly stating that they will not maintain claims arising from the facts that motivated said complaint.

However, Ray, in a letter dated June 16, firmly refused to sign any document that imposes conditions outside the legal framework of expropriation in Paraguay. He argued that the inclusion of clauses demanding the withdrawal of active police complaints, which have led to a criminal investigation, constitutes an "extortionate and unacceptable" tactic within the context of compensation for public utility.

Ray emphasized that the compensation payment is a legal right derived from the expropriation law and cannot be used as leverage to halt fiscal investigations. He reiterated his willingness to transfer ownership of the affected property to the Paraguayan state, specifically the Ministry of Public Works and Communications, but only in strict accordance with legal procedures.

“

The payment of the compensation is a right derived from the expropriation law and cannot be used as a bargaining chip to suppress fiscal investigations.