Paraguay’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rubén Ramírez Lescano, addressed Congress in Asunción on Wednesday, presenting the government’s stance under President Santiago Peña regarding the passage of barges through the Paraná Waterway. Lescano emphasized that the administration is not opposed to the concept of toll payments for such passage, provided there is commensurate service offered in return.
This position diverges from that expressed by Raúl Valdez, President of the Center of River and Maritime Shipowners of Paraguay, who articulated firm opposition to any fees levied by Argentina on his sector.
Moreover, Minister Lescano underscored the necessity for consensus among all signatories of the Waterway Treaty to sanction Argentina’s collection protocols.
Simultaneously, a Paraguayan delegation comprising representatives from the National Administration of Navigation and Ports (ANNP), the Foreign Ministry, and private entrepreneurs convened with local authorities in Buenos Aires on Wednesday to deliberate upon the matter.
Lescano highlighted the absence of vessel seizures since President Javier Milei’s inauguration on December 10, 2023, signaling a period of relative stability regarding toll payments.
He also referenced Article 8 of the Paraná Waterway Treaty, which grants countries the authority to impose tolls contingent upon the provision of specified services and unanimous agreement among all five member nations.
Discussions in Buenos Aires centered on the proposed toll charges by Argentina and the rationale behind these fees.
Furthermore, Lescano stressed the necessity for continuous passage availability if tolls are to be imposed. He also emphasized the importance of ensuring that the surcharge remains conducive to operators’ competitiveness, with requisite investments spanning from the inception of the Paraguay-Paraná waterway in Puerto Cáceres to its terminus in Nueva Palmira.
Additionally, the Minister highlighted Argentina’s outstanding debt of approximately US$117 million to Paraguay for electricity supplied from Yacyretá during President Alberto Fernández’s tenure. Paraguay has extended an offer to Buenos Aires to settle the debt in installments and is presently awaiting a response.