Paraguayan government faces criticism for "silence" after Lula's war remarks

The Paraguayan government is facing sharp criticism for its perceived diplomatic "silence" after Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva invoked the Triple Alliance War to justify increased defense investment in Brazil. Opposition lawmakers and former officials have expressed dismay at the administration's lack of a public response to Lula's remarks, which they deem historically inaccurate and politically insensitive.

During a visit to a defense company, Lula stated that Brazil needs "military power" and sufficient technological knowledge to "talk about peace without arrogance," but also to prevent external interference. He then referenced the 1864-1870 war, asserting that Paraguay had invaded Brazil and that the conflict, initially underestimated, lasted five years. This historical framing has ignited controversy in Paraguay, a nation that suffered immense losses in the war.

Opposition deputy Raúl Benítez described the government's silence as "quite uncomfortable." He contrasted this with the administration's swift reaction to a recent social media spat involving a Paraguayan senator and a French footballer. Former Foreign Minister Euclides Acevedo called Lula's statements a "political clumsiness" and a "grave demonstration of historical ignorance," urging the Foreign Ministry to immediately recall Paraguay's ambassador to Brazil for consultations and summon the Brazilian envoy in Asunción.

Senator Eduardo Nakayama echoed these sentiments, labeling Lula's comments an "unnecessary aggression" with no justification. He contested Lula's historical account, stating that the Triple Alliance War began with a Brazilian invasion of Uruguay, a view he claims is widely accepted except in "Brazilian imperialist historiography." Even a ruling party senator, Silvio Ovelar, expressed surprise at the Foreign Ministry's lack of pronouncement, calling Lula's remarks a "lack of respect" for Paraguay.