Paraguay's Christian Democrats reject Lula's historical remarks, lament president's silence

Paraguay's Christian Democratic Party (PDC) has strongly condemned statements made by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, accusing him of historical revisionism and distorting facts regarding the War of the Triple Alliance. The PDC rejected Lula's suggestion that Brazil's increased military spending was justified by citing Paraguay as an aggressor.

The party issued a statement asserting that Lula's claims constitute a "misrepresentation of historical facts" and ignore the responsibility of the Brazilian Empire in the conflict. The PDC emphasized that as a head of state, Lula's dissemination of inaccurate versions of history is particularly egregious, given the existing documentary and historiographical evidence.

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Such affirmations constitute a misrepresentation of historical facts and ignore the responsibility that fell to the Empire of Brazil.

Furthermore, the PDC expressed deep disappointment over the "silence observed" by Paraguayan President Santiago Peña and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The party believes these government bodies, by constitutional mandate, should be responsible for representing and defending Paraguay's interests internationally.

The PDC's statement meticulously detailed alleged war crimes committed by Brazilian forces during the conflict. These include the destruction of a hospital, the massacre of approximately 3,000 children and adolescents at the Battle of Acosta Ñu, the sexual abuse of Paraguayan women, and the execution of surviving officers. The party also condemned Brazil's refusal to return war trophies and historical archives taken during the occupation of Asunción.

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We also lament the silence observed to date by the Presidency of the Republic and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.