BTN News: Gabriel Boric, the President of Chile, has started an official trip to Paraguay. The main goals are to improve trade relations and enhance road links between the two countries. He will meet with business leaders and Paraguayan President Santiago Peña. Boric’s trip also includes a speech to the Paraguayan Congress, showing the strong partnership between Chile and Paraguay. This visit is important for building better economic and political ties in South America.
President Boric landed in Paraguay late on Tuesday night. His plane touched down at Silvio Pettirossi Airport in Asunción around 9 PM local time. Traveling on a Chilean Air Force plane, Boric received a military welcome from Paraguayan Foreign Minister Rubén RamÃrez. This official welcome marked the start of his busy schedule.
Although he was invited to a dinner hosted by the Paraguayan Rural Association (ARP), Boric chose to stay informed about events in Chile. This was due to a tragic shooting at an event center in Santiago, which resulted in five deaths and many injuries, mainly involving Venezuelan and Dominican people. Boric called the incident “serious” before his trip to Paraguay, highlighting his dedication to staying updated on his country’s situation.
On Wednesday, Boric began his day with a meeting at the Central Bank of Paraguay (BCP) with business leaders from both nations. He then held a bilateral meeting with President Santiago Peña at the Palacio López, the government headquarters of Paraguay. Later, Boric will give a speech to the Paraguayan National Congress, sharing his ideas for better cooperation between the two countries.
Boric’s team includes important Chilean ministers, such as Foreign Affairs Minister Alberto van Klaveren, Economy Minister Nicolás Grau, Public Works Minister Jessica López, and Culture Minister Carolina Arredondo. Also joining are regional governors and a group of parliamentarians and business people, showing Chile’s wide range of interests in this visit.
This is Boric’s second visit to Asunción since he took office in March 2022. He was previously in Paraguay to attend President Peña’s inauguration last August. This trip aims to build on the strong trade relationship between Chile and Paraguay, which grew by 7.2% in 2023, reaching $1.868 billion.
A key topic of their talks will be the Bioceanic Corridor. This major project aims to connect southern Brazil, Paraguay’s Chaco region, and the Argentine provinces of Salta and Jujuy with northern Chile and its main ports in Antofagasta, Mejillones, and Iquique. This project will improve trade routes and logistics across South America.
In conclusion, President Boric’s visit to Paraguay shows the growing economic and infrastructure cooperation between Chile and Paraguay. By holding high-level talks and addressing key issues, Boric aims to strengthen the bilateral ties that are important for both countries’ growth and prosperity. This visit is about not only improving trade but also setting the stage for major infrastructure developments that will benefit the entire region.
