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Yolanda Paredes Calls Peña 'Coward' for Not Renegotiating Itaipú with Lula
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Economy & Trade

Yolanda Paredes Calls Peña 'Coward' for Not Renegotiating Itaipú with Lula

From ABC Color · (11m ago) Spanish Critical tone

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Paraguayan Senator Yolanda Paredes strongly criticized President Santiago Peña for failing to renegotiate the Itaipú Treaty's Annex C.
  • Paredes accused Peña of being a "coward" for not engaging with Brazil's President Lula da Silva to secure better terms for Paraguay's energy sales.
  • The senator argued that Paraguay is selling its energy at "ridiculous prices," causing significant financial losses to the nation.

As reported by ABC Color, Paraguayan Senator Yolanda Paredes has launched a scathing attack on President Santiago Peña, labeling him a "coward" for his perceived inaction on renegotiating the crucial Annex C of the Itaipú Treaty. This treaty governs the terms under which Paraguay sells its share of energy from the massive Itaipú hydroelectric dam to Brazil.

Three years, Santiago Peña, three years you've had to renegotiate Annex C and you keep traveling the world, but you don't deign to exercise sovereignty over Itaipú. You are a coward, Santiago Peña!

— Yolanda Paredes, SenatorSenator Paredes directly addressed President Peña during a Senate session, criticizing his lack of action on the Itaipú Treaty.

Paredes's fiery speech in the Senate highlighted a deep-seated frustration within Paraguay regarding the current energy deal. She argues that despite having paid off its construction debt, Paraguay continues to sell its energy to Brazil at prices far below its market value. This, she contends, represents a massive loss of potential revenue that could be invested in vital public services like health, education, and social programs.

Today Paraguay continues to sell its energy at the price of a bunch of parsley.

— Yolanda Paredes, SenatorParedes used this colorful analogy to describe the low prices at which Paraguay sells its energy to Brazil.

The senator's critique extends beyond mere policy disagreement; it touches upon national sovereignty and economic justice. By accusing Peña of prioritizing international travel over addressing this critical national issue and failing to directly confront Brazilian President Lula da Silva, Paredes taps into a nationalist sentiment. From a Paraguayan perspective, as articulated by Paredes, the Itaipú dam is a symbol of national resource and potential, and failing to secure a fair deal is seen not just as poor economic management but as a betrayal of national interests. This is a perspective often overlooked in international discussions, which may focus more on the technical aspects of energy trade rather than the profound national pride and economic aspirations tied to such strategic assets.

Just as you are indignant about a supposed Itaipú house, which I sold, you should also be indignant because the energy of Paraguayans continues to be squandered.

— Yolanda Paredes, SenatorParedes urged fellow legislators to show the same outrage over the Itaipú energy deal as they do over lesser issues.
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.

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