Some countries, due to their size, geostrategic position, or resources, constantly capture the headlines of the mainstream Western press. Others, however, remain shielded from scourges like socialism — championing innovation and the free market — yet they do so quietly, away from the spotlight.

Such is the case with Paraguay, a nation of nearly 6.5 million people, where more than 75% percent of the population is Christian (comprising both Catholics and Protestants).

The majority of its citizens have not voted for the Left since 2012, when socialist Fernando Lugo was removed from the presidency for poor performance of his duties, following the deaths of 17 people during a clash between police and farmers in the town of Curuguaty.

Lugo, a former Catholic bishop who led a progressive coalition called the Patriotic Alliance for Change (later organized as the *Frente Guasu*), took power in 2008. From that point on, he aligned the country with the burgeoning “Socialism of the 21st Century” — a movement that included dictators such as Hugo Chávez in Venezuela and Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua.

After more than six decades of continuous hegemony by the conservative Colorado Party, Lugo was the exception. The right regained the presidency in 2013 and has remained the primary choice of the electorate to lead the government, without interruption, to this day.

The current Paraguayan president, Santiago Peña, maintains clear pro-life and pro-family stances, while defending the market economy and private property.

During his 2023 election campaign, he did not hesitate to tell interviewers that he supported the right to life. Since assuming the presidency, he has maintained his stance: “As long as Paraguay exists, there will be a people who say, loud and clear to the world: ‘No to abortion on demand,’” he declared in 2025 during the conservative *Foro Madrid* (Madrid Forum), which was hosted by Paraguay in its capital, Asunción.

His vision — which favors free enterprise — has also been evident in his public statements. “We need a market economy that recognizes private property,” he emphasized in an interview with an international media outlet a few years ago. He has also stated that he believes “in a small state, yet one that is highly efficient in those areas where it has no substitute.”

This refreshing balance — standing in contrast to the anti-innovation, liberty-stifling militancy often seen among the Latin American left — is worth highlighting.

Contrary to the condemnation directed at the Israeli government in recent years by other nations in the Americas — such as Gustavo Petro’s Colombia — Paraguay has viewed the Mediterranean nation as a key ally in terms of security, as well as in bilateral trade involving agriculture, water management, and health care.

Talor Shamash, Israel’s consul in Paraguay, noted in an interview with local media this year that the Peña administration has signed seven bilateral agreements in strategic sectors, including education, technology, innovation, security, and institutional cooperation. Israel has established itself as a major destination for Paraguayan beef, with exports reaching approximately $225 million last year.

Furthermore, Asunción has designated Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as terrorist organizations — a move that aligns the South American nation with an international agenda regarding Islam, alongside partners such as Argentina and the United States.

Regarding Washington, Paraguay’s ties have grown increasingly close, particularly in relation to the Trump administration, across several fronts.

In August, Peña held a telephone conversation with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, focusing on projects related to security, defense, and economic growth. During the call, Rubio expressed appreciation for Paraguay’s steadfast support for the democratic cause in Venezuela — support that predates even the operation to remove Nicolás Maduro.

The conversation served as a prelude to the signing of a memorandum of understanding on civil nuclear cooperation, which Vice President Pedro Alliana and Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez were set to sign during a visit to Washington. The terms include the transfer of technology for peaceful, energy-related purposes.

At the same time, just as Paraguay has been diligent in recognizing its allies, it has also shown diplomatic courage in acknowledging its rivals on the international stage.

On October 12, China announced sanctions against Gustavo Villate, Paraguay’s Minister of Information and Communication Technologies. These measures include a ban on his entry into China, Hong Kong, and Macau, as well as a prohibition on conducting transactions with Chinese entities.

Why? Because the official — alongside the United States — issued a statement regarding Chinese cyberattacks targeting state institutions. But what stung Beijing most were the frequent visits to Taiwan by President Peña and other Paraguayan officials — and the fact that China lost a foothold in the heart of South America from which to project its influence.

Paraguay’s discreet yet firm stance serves as an example for other Hispanic American nations. Focusing on civilizational alliances and condemning the villains of our time — without offering any apologies — is truly worthy of applause.