Paraguayan Fishermen Threaten Action Over Yacyretá Inaction

Commercial fishermen in Ayolas, Paraguay, are escalating their demands for action from the Yacyretá Binational Entity (EBY), citing a lack of response to their requests since December 2025. Rolando Ferreira, president of the Association of United Fishermen of Ayolas, expressed deep concern over the prolonged silence, highlighting the dependence of numerous families on the fishing industry.

The fishermen's core demands include the removal of accumulated algae from the Paraná River, monthly food assistance kits until the cleaning is complete, compensation for fishing equipment damaged by the algae, and job opportunities related to the Aña Cua project. Ferreira criticized the current government's economic policies, stating that the promise of a better future is not reflected in the daily lives of ordinary citizens, with benefits seemingly limited to a select few.

Faced with EBY's continued inaction, the fishing sector is contemplating further measures. Ferreira mentioned the possibility of new demonstrations and called for leadership changes within the Yacyretá office in Ayolas. He recalled a meeting three months prior with EBY's Paraguayan director, Luis Benítez, who reportedly promised to address the fishermen's grievances, but no tangible results have emerged.

An assembly is scheduled for Sunday to finalize the next steps. Ferreira stressed the urgency of the families' needs and questioned the authorities' apparent deflection of responsibility. "The idea is to go out on the street again. Unfortunately, they won't like it if we ask for the protest vote on the street, but what are we going to do if they don't comply and people need solutions?" he stated.

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The idea is to go out on the street again. Unfortunately, they won't like it if we ask for the protest vote on the street, but what are we going to do if they don't comply and people need solutions?