Paraguay - 54.42
87
An often forgotten oddity in South America
Paraguay is the only country in South America where an indigenous language remains the predominant one. One of two landlocked countries in South America, Paraguay seldom involves itself in regional politics. It is not notable for its score in any category, but Paraguay is still home to a number of interesting developments. Paraguay has an active insurgency in the Paraguayan People’s Army (EPP) that regularly participates in violent attacks against authorities and civilians. Paraguay’s democracy, though credible, is not impressive by the standards of South America. Like its region, Paraguay is highly corrupt.
Human Rights - 46
Paraguay has fully abolished the death penalty. The Paraguayan People’s Army is an active insurgency. The EPP participates in extortion rackets and occasionally kidnappings for ransom. Police and army raids on EPP facilities regularly result in casualties. The EPP has been accused of using child soldiers though this claim has never been confirmed. The military claimed that two eleven-year-old girls killed in a raid on an EPP compound were child soldiers. The military provided photos of them wearing combat fatigues and carrying weapons but this claim is under investigation. The government has been accused of torture in several instances. The Special Human Rights Office of the Attorney General opened seven investigations but saw no convictions. Military and police have generally high impunity when dealing with drug traffickers. EPP prisoners are rarely taken and EPP fighters are often extrajudicially executed. Prison conditions in Paraguay are awful. Prisons were at almost 200% capacity throughout the year and lacked adequate ventilation, medical, and sanitation facilities. Many prisons were largely self-regulating and guards did little to stop inmate-inmate violence. Police often used an obsolete provision allowing for arrest if individuals could not provide ID upon request to justify their arbitrary arrest. Violent threats against journalists are common, mostly from narcotraffickers and the EPP but also occasionally from the government. Homosexuality is legal but the age of consent is not equalized. Trans Paraguayans cannot serve openly. Any single person can adopt, but Paraguay does not allow joint same-sex adoption. Paraguay has no other rights or protections. Abortion is legal to save the woman’s life.
Democracy - 68
The president is directly elected. The Colorado Party has been in power almost uninterrupted for the past seventy years. The only interruption came from the left-wing President Fernando Lugo who held power from his election in 2008 until his impeachment in 2012. Congress is directly elected. Elections are generally free and fair but saw several delays due to COVID during the last cycle. For the past seventy years, the Colorado Party has had a near-interrupted monopoly on the presidency. Additionally, the Colorado Party held a majority in Congress for much of that time as well. The Authentic Radical Liberal Party (PLRA) is the only major opposition group in Paraguay and opposition figures generally come to prominence due to factional splits within the Colorado Party.
Freedom - 74
Violent threats against journalists are common, primarily from narcotraffickers and the EPP but also from the government. Freelance journalist Roberto Esquivel was assaulted and arrested by the military while reporting on COVID lockdown measures. Esquivel was later released without charge. Public schools in Paraguay are allowed to have a religious affiliation and the government has been accused of disproportionately funding Catholic schools. Insurgencies in some areas hamper freedom of expression in public but the government places no formal restrictions on freedom of expression. Paraguay has very loose drug laws. Possession of fewer than two grams of cocaine or opioids and less than ten grams of marijuana is not punishable, though an offense still goes on the offender’s record. Possession of larger amounts, distribution, and production are all punishable. Paraguay’s loose drug laws have led to strife with its neighbors. Paraguay shall issue gun ownership licenses for semi-automatic handguns and rifles.
Economy - 57
Health - 54
Paraguay has a life expectancy of 74 years and an infant mortality rate of 1.78%. 20.3% of Paraguayans are obese and 4.78% are malnourished. Paraguay’s universal healthcare system provides low-quality care to all Paraguayans. The Paraguayan healthcare system is plagued by a poor patient-to-physician ratio. 70% of Paraguayans have access to clean, running water.
Corruption - 17
The Paraguayan judicial system is incredibly corrupt. The courts have allegedly dropped cases in exchange for bribes. Judicial verdicts are bought and sold at all levels. Police extortion is common. Public services must be bribed into action. Paraguay has very few officially registered companies and almost all businesses in the country operate off the books. This severely hampers tax collection as it is difficult to regulate unofficial businesses. Registering land ownership is very difficult in Paraguay. Paraguay’s border with Brazil is highly corrupt and it is very easy to smuggle drugs produced in Paraguay into Brazil. Public contracts are impossible to obtain without corruption.
Competency - 33
The government is failing to control an ongoing insurgency. Corruption is endemic in Paraguay. Crime remains a serious issue in the country.
Future - 59
The Paraguayan economy has been stagnating, shrinking even before COVID. The influence of the Colorado Party has diminished in recent years as opposition influence has increased.
Actions Abroad - 72
Paraguay remains the only country in South America to recognize the independence of Taiwan. Paraguay recognizes the independence of Western Sahara. Paraguay is generally isolationist and maintains good relations with most nations.
0.9% of Paraguayans live below the international poverty line and 23.5% live below the national poverty line. 7.61% of Paraguayans are unemployed. Paraguay has a very high economic disparity. The minimum wage in Paraguay is $330 per month. Paraguay has a weak universal healthcare system. Public healthcare is provided for free to all Paraguayan citizens. Healthcare in Paraguay is of generally low quality and Paraguay has a very poor patient-to-physician ratio. Many procedures are performed by medical students and almost all Paraguayan medical school graduates go to Argentina or Uruguay. Most wealthy Paraguayans pay for private healthcare. The Paraguayan economy shrunk 1% in 2020 and shrunk 0.4% in 2019.