DistantNews
Support us
Paraguay's Peña unsatisfied with government's three-year progress, cites poverty reduction
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Culture & Society

Paraguay's Peña unsatisfied with government's three-year progress, cites poverty reduction

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • Paraguayan President Santiago Peña expressed dissatisfaction with his government's progress over three years, despite citing achievements like poverty reduction and economic growth.
  • Peña acknowledged significant challenges remain in healthcare, education, and infrastructure, stating more work is needed to reach Paraguay's potential.
  • Official figures show a reduction in poverty from 19.6% to 16% and extreme poverty from 3.7% to 2.4% since 2022, with over 493,000 people lifted out of poverty.

President Santiago Peña of Paraguay declared himself unsatisfied with his government's achievements after three years, despite highlighting progress in poverty reduction and economic growth. Speaking at his third management report to the National Congress, Peña stated, "Despite the progress, it is not enough, I should have done more and my ministers must do more." He pledged to work tirelessly until the end of his term to improve the lives of Paraguayans.

I am the first to confess and say it loud and clear: Despite the progress, it is not enough, I should have done more and my ministers must do more and I promise you that I will not rest until the last day of my term to do more for Paraguayans.

— Santiago PeñaParaguayan President Santiago Peña speaking at his third management report to the National Congress.

Peña acknowledged that significant work remains in critical areas such as health, education, and infrastructure projects. He described these sectors as sensitive, facing both historical and emerging problems. "Paraguay is a wonderful country, but it still has a long way to go to reach the place it is destined to occupy," he remarked.

We still have a lot to work on in health, in education, in commitments already made in works and medicines, sensitive areas with historical and emerging problems.

— Santiago PeñaParaguayan President Santiago Peña describing ongoing challenges in his government's report.

Despite these challenges, the president presented statistics indicating substantial improvements. Total poverty decreased from 19.6% to 16% in the past year, and extreme poverty fell from 3.7% to 2.4%. Between 2022 and 2025, over 493,000 individuals reportedly escaped poverty, and 180,000 moved out of extreme poverty. Peña called these figures "historic and unprecedented" since poverty measurement began in Paraguay.

Paraguay, despite being a wonderful country, still has a long way to go to reach the place it is destined to occupy.

— Santiago PeñaParaguayan President Santiago Peña reflecting on the country's potential.

Economic indicators also showed positive trends. Unemployment dropped to 3.6% in the last quarter of 2025, and the formality rate exceeded 40%. The government has created over 242,000 jobs midway through Peña's term. Additionally, more than 45,000 housing solutions have been managed, with over 32,000 social housing units delivered to Paraguayan families.

These are historic, unprecedented figures, since poverty has been measured in Paraguay.

— Santiago PeñaParaguayan President Santiago Peña commenting on poverty reduction statistics.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog