by Emilee Gaebler
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America
ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay – Tensions between Paraguay and Brazil have recently soared with the mobilization of Brazilian troops along the border of the two countries. Brazil’s movements just across from the Paraguayan state of Alto Paraná have been attributed to a Brazilian plan to impede the illegal drug shipments occurring at the border.
Paraguayans view the troops in a more suspicious light and link it to the recent unrest between Paraguayan peasants and Brazilian land-owners. The escalating and at times violent confrontations revolve around allegations of corruption in the Paraguayan government allowing Brazilian farmers to occupy land illegally.
These land disputes across the countryside have resulted in reports of shootings. In September of this year, Brazilian police and Paraguayan armed forces were thought to have exchanged fire. Multiple skirmishes have occurred between the Paraguayan police and the landless peasant movement. There has also been fighting between the peasants and armed militias, which have been formed by Brazilian farmers.
Most compelling in this recent development is the reality of Brazilian troops occupying the Friendship Bridge in the border town of Ciudad de Este. What began as sporadic occupation is now a perpetual presence by all three branches of the Brazilian forces; air force, army and navy. Foremost in many citizen’s minds are memories of the violent war, which occurred just over a century ago, and the subsequent Brazilian occupation of Paraguay.
Alfonso Gonzalez Nuñez, head of the Paraguayan delegation to the Paralsur, characterized the Brazilian troops as “provocative military intimidation” and points out that the huge display by Brazil of both troops and equipment are in an area that is legally protected from any type of military occupation due to international treaties regulating border relations of neighboring states.
Brazil has adamantly defended its actions with the need to establish checkpoints, along the border, to stop the smuggling of drugs and weapons that go to the gangs in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janiero. They refer to the mission as “Agata 2” and plan to extend it along the border shared with Uruguay.
For now the border has not been breached by Brazilian troops so a tense acknowledgement and acceptance of their presence is the Paraguayan approach. Paraguay’s president, Fernando Lugo, a former bishop who worked extensively with the landless poor of the country, has displayed a firm stance on the matter.
“[N]ot even one millimeter of the territorial sovereignty of the country can be bothered. If that happens, the Paraguayan reaction will be swift,” was President Lugo’s statement.
For more information, please see;
In Sight – Paraguay Slams Brazil’s Militarization of Border – 21 November 2011
Merco Press – Paraguayan Lawmakers Accuse Brazil of “Provocative Military Intimidation” – 21 November 2011
New York Times – Drills Heighten Brazil-Paraguay Tension – 23 October 2011
Merco Press – Brazil Deploys 7,000 Troops Along Southern Borders to Combat Organized Crime – 20 September 2011
