Paraguayan Congress president condemns offensive Brazil-themed billboards

Basilio “Bachi” Núñez, the President of Paraguay's Congress, has strongly condemned the installation of offensive billboards targeting Paraguay near the Friendship Bridge in Ciudad del Este. Núñez described the advertisements, which were placed on Route PY02 close to the border, as a "provocation that cannot be allowed."

Speaking out on social media, the senator from the Colorado Party demanded immediate action. "It is a true shame to allow advertising in the public thoroughfare that promotes ethnocentrism on our own territory," Núñez wrote on his official X account. He pledged to "request detailed reports in the next session to correct this situation and protect our Paraguayan cultural identity." He emphasized the need to stop normalizing messages that devalue national identity.

Núñez urged coordinated efforts with border municipalities to prevent such incidents from recurring on Paraguayan soil. "We will not allow these provocations to be repeated on Paraguayan territory," he stated, adding that the situation necessitates a review of border cities. He plans to collaborate with colleagues to ensure that sovereignty and identity are upheld in coordination with local governments.

The billboards, allegedly installed by the company Fast Print on land belonging to the Ministry of Public Works and Communications, featured Portuguese slogans such as "Brasil Mandou e Desmandou no campo e na política" (Brazil ruled and did as it pleased on the field and in politics). They also included a controversial image of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro appearing to strike a Paraguayan player. The advertising concluded with the defiant phrase, "Aqui é Brasil, respeita" (Here is Brazil, respect), despite being located in Paraguay.

The offensive material triggered a massive public backlash in Ciudad del Este. Shortly after the billboards gained notoriety online, citizens took action to destroy them, demonstrating the strong local opposition to the messages.