Asunción, Paraguay - President Santiago Peña of Paraguay has strongly defended his government's steadfast support for Israel, asserting that this policy is a direct mandate from the Paraguayan people. In a recent speech, Peña reiterated that the decision to relocate the Paraguayan Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem—a move finalized in late 2024—was a key promise of his presidential campaign.
Speaking at the closing of the YPO (Young Presidents' Organization) forum, held at the Central Bank of Paraguay, President Peña explained that during his campaign, he was met with repeated calls from the public to "support Israel." This widespread sentiment, he claimed, made the policy a central part of his platform. "I campaigned on the promise that Paraguay would support Israel, and even before the attacks of October 7, 2023, I announced my intention to reopen the embassy in Jerusalem," he stated.
Peña acknowledged that the decision was "highly controversial," noting that he received calls from leaders around the world urging him to reconsider. His response, he said, was firm: "I told them: I will do it because this is a mandate that the Paraguayan people want."
The president further justified the country's historical position, linking it to Paraguay's significant Catholic population. He emphasized that Paraguay has "one of the largest Catholic populations in Latin America, if not the largest in the world," with over 90% of its citizens identifying as Catholic, despite the growth of evangelical groups. This deep-rooted religious and historical connection, he argued, explains Paraguay's "unwavering position" in defending Israel.
Peña's defense comes amid growing international scrutiny of Israel's military actions. He has consistently maintained that Israel has the right to defend itself, and on July 18, he remarked that "no civilization or religious group has suffered more persecution than the Jewish people and, in this case, the State of Israel." This perspective reinforces Paraguay's unique and unwavering pro-Israel stance on the global stage, a position that stands in contrast to many other nations and has made Paraguay a key ally for Israel in South America.
The decision to move the embassy to Jerusalem has been a point of contention for many, but President Peña remains resolute in his conviction that his policy reflects the will of the people who elected him. For now, Paraguay stands firm in its support, driven by a blend of historical ties, religious beliefs, and political promises.
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