AGP Executive Report

Solar & Industry: Paraguay’s ANDE launched its first large-scale solar photovoltaic tender: the 140 MW Loma Plata plant in Boquerón, with grid connection via a 220 kV substation and World Bank support, signaling a shift beyond hydropower. Green Fertilizer Tech: ATOME selected Sungrow Hydrogen as electrolyser supplier for its Villeta low-carbon fertilizer project (110 MW alkaline electrolysers using Itaipu hydropower) to produce 260,000 tpy of calcium ammonium nitrate. Digital Paraguay: New INE data shows 85.4% of Paraguayans aged 10+ used the internet in 2025, with women slightly higher (86.8%) than men (83.9%). Public Science: Asunción announced free public astronomy sessions at Parque Ecológico del Río, including telescope viewing and 360° dome presentations. Cybersecurity in the Region: Latin American groups are increasingly targeting government agencies and monetizing citizen data, with extortion-style attacks becoming more common. Logistics Upgrade: Liebherr delivered an electric-powered FCC 280 crane for Puerto Seguro Fluvial, boosting heavy-load container handling with lower emissions and noise.

Paraguay Energy Transition: ANDE launched Paraguay’s first large-scale solar photovoltaic tender: the 140 MW Loma Plata project in Boquerón, with 220 kV grid connection and World Bank support, under Law 7599/2025. Green Fertilizer Push: ATOME selected Sungrow Hydrogen as electrolyser supplier for its Villeta low-carbon fertilizer project (110 MW alkaline electrolysers using Itaipu hydropower to make 260,000 tpy calcium ammonium nitrate). Digital Infrastructure & Industry: HIVE Digital Technologies set its fiscal Q4/full-year 2026 results for June 1, with an earnings call June 2; the company runs data centers in Paraguay among other sites. Connectivity Snapshot: Paraguay reported 85.4% internet use among people aged 10+ in 2025, with women slightly higher than men. Elections Security: Paraguay’s TSJE began technical verification of voting machines for June 7 internal elections, with parties able to review hardware and software after full disassembly. Cybersecurity Watch: A regional report highlights Latin American cybercriminals targeting government agencies and monetizing citizen data, raising pressure on public-sector defenses. Logistics Upgrade: Liebherr delivered an electric-powered FCC 280 crane for Puerto Seguro Fluvial in Paraguay, aimed at cleaner, quieter container handling.

Solar Power Push: Paraguay’s ANDE launched its first large-scale 140 MW solar photovoltaic tender for the Loma Plata plant, with 220 kV grid connection and World Bank support, a major step to diversify beyond hydropower. Green Fertilizer Tech: ATOME selected Sungrow Hydrogen to supply electrolysers for its Villeta low-carbon fertilizer project, using Itaipu hydropower to produce green hydrogen for 260,000 tpy of calcium ammonium nitrate. Digital Infrastructure & Energy: HIVE Digital Technologies set its June 2 earnings call and highlighted its Paraguay data centers powered by green energy, keeping the country in the spotlight for tech-driven compute. Cybersecurity Watch: A regional report warns Latin American cybercriminals are increasingly targeting government agencies and contractors, with citizen data theft and extortion rising. Elections Integrity: Paraguay’s TSJE began technical verification of voting machines for June 7 internal party elections, with hardware and software disassembled for review. Connectivity Snapshot: New INE data says 85.4% of Paraguayans aged 10+ used the internet in 2025, with women slightly ahead. Logistics Upgrade: Liebherr delivered an electric-powered FCC 280 crane for Puerto Seguro Fluvial, supporting Paraguay’s expanding port capacity.

Energy Shift: Paraguay just launched its first large-scale solar tender under Law 7599/2025: ANDE is seeking bids for the 140 MW Loma Plata Photovoltaic Solar Power Plant in Boquerón, with grid connection via a 220 kV substation and World Bank support—an early signal that the country is starting to diversify beyond hydropower. Elections Tech: The TSJE has begun technical verification of voting machines for June 7 internal party elections, with machines fully disassembled and reviewed by ANR and PLRA teams to boost transparency and security. Green Industry: ATOME selected Sungrow Hydrogen as electrolyser supplier for its Villeta low-carbon fertilizer project, aiming to use renewable hydropower from Itaipu to produce green hydrogen for 260,000 tonnes/year of fertilizer. Digital Adoption: Paraguay’s digital payments jumped 24% in the first four months of 2026, led by debit card growth.

Paraguay Electoral Tech: Paraguay’s Superior Electoral Court (TSJE) has started a technical verification of the voting machines to be used in the June 7 internal elections, with parties allowed to question the process as the equipment is fully disassembled and checked for both hardware and software. Green Industry in Villeta: ATOME selected Sungrow Hydrogen as electrolyser supplier for its 260,000 tpy low-carbon fertilizer project in Villeta, using 110 MW of alkaline electrolysers powered by Itaipu hydropower. Digital Payments: Paraguay’s digital payments jumped 24% in the first four months of 2026, led by a 32% rise in debit card transactions. Sports Integrity: Paraguay officially established its National Anti-Doping Agency (ANAD-PY) to run education, prevention, control, and anti-doping enforcement aligned with WADA rules. World Cup Tech Spillover: FIFA’s 2026 base-camp plan is pulling in US college sports infrastructure, while US security officials are still scrambling over drone threats at tournament sites.

Elections Under the Microscope: Paraguay’s Superior Electoral Court (TSJE) has started a technical verification of the voting machines to be used in June 7 internal elections for the ruling Colorado Party (ANR) and the opposition PLRA, with full disassembly and party representatives allowed to question the hardware and software; the review runs through Thursday, split by party days, aiming to boost transparency and security. Sports Integrity: Paraguay also officially launched its National Anti-Doping Agency (ANAD-PY), setting up education, prevention, control, and anti-doping enforcement aligned with WADA standards. Digital Payments Momentum: Paraguay saw a 24% jump in digital payments in the first four months of 2026, led by debit card growth. Regional Tech Expansion: BlaBlaCar is rolling out across Paraguay and seven other South American countries, using Brazil as its hub for expansion.

World Cup Tech & Security: With the 2026 tournament weeks away, U.S. officials are scrambling to prepare for drone threats at match sites, citing equipment shortages and shifting rules under the Safer Skies Act—raising pressure on local authorities to act fast. Paraguay Sports Integrity: Paraguay has officially created its National Anti-Doping Agency (ANAD-PY), setting up education, prevention, control, and enforcement aligned with WADA standards. Fintech Momentum: Paraguay’s digital payments jumped 24% in the first four months of 2026, led by a 32% rise in debit card use as consumers lean on their own funds. Mobility Expansion: BlaBlaCar is rolling out carpooling across eight South American countries this week, including Paraguay, aiming to scale where transport gaps make shared rides most valuable. Local Community Tech-in-Action: Asunción’s Mascotizate Fest 2026 is bringing free veterinary care to hundreds of pets, with the municipality declaring it of municipal interest.

Paraguay Sports Policy: Paraguay has officially created its National Anti-Doping Agency (ANAD-PY), aiming to tighten education, prevention, control, and anti-doping enforcement under WADA rules—an integrity push led by Executive Secretary Silvia Patiño. Digital Economy: Paraguay’s digital payments jumped 24% in the first four months of 2026, with debit cards driving the growth (up 32%) as consumers lean on their own funds. Urban Growth: Asunción’s real estate boom is accelerating, with record municipal income from building approvals and new development hubs along major corridors. Biodiversity & Climate: Paraguay updated its Red List of mammals after nearly a decade, keeping the jaguar on the threatened list, while scientists warn methane-mitigation efforts are being undermined by shifting how warming impact is measured. Tech & Security Context: Across the region, the week also featured a U.S.-led anti-cartel push and World Cup security worries, including drone countermeasure gaps.

National Anti-Doping Push: Paraguay has officially established its National Anti-Doping Agency (ANAD-PY), with a new team led by Silvia Patiño tasked with education, prevention, control, and enforcement aligned to WADA rules—aiming to tighten integrity across sport. Digital Payments Momentum: Digital payments in Paraguay jumped 24% in the first four months of 2026, led by debit cards (+32%), signaling more everyday spending moving online. Sports & Tech Spillover: As World Cup security planning ramps up abroad, drone-threat preparation is still uneven—an issue that could shape how event tech and public safety tools are deployed. Biodiversity Update: Paraguay also updated its Red List of mammals after 10 years, with the jaguar still flagged as endangered amid habitat pressure. Public Health Watch: Hantavirus concerns are rising globally, highlighting gaps in sanitation and preparedness.

Public Health Watch: Hantavirus concerns are rising as global health authorities tighten surveillance, with new reporting pointing to gaps in sanitation, awareness, and preparedness—especially in places where rodent exposure is common. Sports & Climate: The 2026 FIFA World Cup is being flagged as potentially the most-polluting sporting event in history, with estimates of millions of tonnes of CO2 tied to the tournament’s expanded scale and long travel between venues. Paraguay Digital Economy: Paraguay’s digital payments jumped 24% in the first four months of 2026, led by debit card growth (up 32%), signaling more everyday spending moving online. Local Tech & Services: Asunción is rolling out free veterinary care through Mascotizate Fest 2026, while the city’s real estate approvals keep climbing—both trends that show how municipal services and consumer behavior are shifting in parallel.

World Cup Spotlight: FIFA’s expanded 2026 World Cup (48 teams, hosted across Mexico, Canada and the U.S.) is set to bring record money—but environmental experts warn it could also become the most-polluting sporting event ever, with CO2 estimates jumping to 5–9 million tonnes. Sports & Health: Emma Raducanu says she’s feeling better after a post-viral illness, ahead of her French Open opener. Local Animal Care: Asunción’s Costanera hosts Mascotizate Fest 2026, offering free veterinary services and promoting responsible pet ownership. Paraguay Economy (Digital): Paraguay’s digital payments rose 24% in the first four months of 2026, led by debit card growth (+32%). Paraguay Economy (Property): Asunción’s real estate approvals and construction pipeline are surging, pushing municipal income to historic levels. Tech & AI (Regional): HIVE’s AI push keeps expanding, with major data-center plans tied to compute demand.

French Open 2026: British players are in the spotlight at Roland-Garros, with Cam Norrie starting against Paraguay’s Adolfo Daniel Vallejo, while Emma Raducanu faces clay specialist Solana Sierra and other Brits chase tough first-round draws. Sports Mega-Event Debate: FIFA’s expanded 48-team World Cup is set to be the biggest and most lucrative ever—but environmental experts warn it could also become the most-polluting sporting event in history, with CO2 estimates far above the 2024 Paris Olympics. Paraguay Conservation: Paraguay updated its Red List of mammals after a decade, with the jaguar still flagged as endangered as habitat loss and conflict with livestock keep pressure on remaining populations. Climate Policy Watch: Scientists warn that “new approaches” to methane reporting could undermine mitigation efforts, naming countries including Paraguay. Tech & AI Finance: HIVE Digital Technologies surged on plans for a massive Toronto AI data-center build, signaling continued regional competition for compute. Local Business & Education: Paraguay’s Korean Education Center was relocated and expanded as demand grows, adding more classrooms for Korean-language learning.

US Sanctions Pushback: The US State Department is blaming Cuba and Argentina for their own crises while keeping pressure on Cuba and tightening its grip in Argentina—an “Orwellian” message that’s sparked sharp backlash. Argentina–Iran Rift: Argentina opened economic bids for the Paraná–Paraguay waterway concession even as prosecutors warned of “serious irregularities,” while Milei’s foreign-policy pivot continues with Iran’s envoy expelled after Iran’s IRGC was labeled terrorist. World Cup Tech & Climate: FIFA’s 2026 World Cup is set to be the biggest and most lucrative yet—and also the most polluting, with estimates up to 5–9 million tonnes of CO2. Paraguay Digital Push: Paraguay’s Expo eCommerce 2026 is spotlighting hands-on e-commerce training for MSMEs, and Korea’s education center in Asunción has expanded to meet rising demand. AI Infrastructure Watch: HIVE’s AI data-center buildout in Canada (with Paraguay in its footprint) keeps driving investor attention.

Geopolitics Meets Diplomacy: Argentina’s Milei keeps tightening ties with Israel, expelling Iran’s chargé d’affaires Mohsen Soltani Tehrani after Iran’s Revolutionary Guard was labeled terrorist—now Israel’s ambassador Eyal Sela frames it as a decisive foreign-policy realignment. World Cup Tech, Money, and Carbon: FIFA’s 2026 World Cup is being pitched as the biggest, richest ever, but experts warn it could also become the most-polluting sporting event in history, with 48 teams across Mexico, Canada, and the U.S. driving emissions far above recent benchmarks. AI Infrastructure Push: HIVE Digital Technologies is accelerating the shift from crypto mining to AI compute, with plans for a 320 MW Toronto “AI gigafactory” and major GPU capacity—fueling a sharp stock surge. Local Digital Skills: Paraguay’s Expo eCommerce 2026 adds an “E-commerce Lab” aimed at helping MSMEs sell online with practical training, including secure payments. Climate Pressure on Paraguay: Regional reporting highlights worsening heat, floods, and drought across Latin America and the Caribbean—raising risks for health, food, and water access.

Paraguay Investment Guardrails: A new column argues Paraguay should stay open to foreign capital—but add “discernment” and transparency of beneficial ownership so strategic, not just commercial, investors can’t hollow out institutions through procurement and concessions. World Cup Betting Boom: Americans are projected to wager $3B+ on FIFA World Cup 2026, potentially outpacing Super Bowl totals—another reminder that sport is becoming a major digital-money event. AI Infrastructure Push (HIVE): HIVE shares jumped after plans for a 320MW Toronto-area AI “gigafactory” targeting 100,000+ GPUs, deepening a pivot from Bitcoin mining toward compute-heavy AI services that also connects to Paraguay’s growing data-center footprint. Korean Education Demand: Paraguay’s Ministry of Education expanded and relocated its Korean Education Center to meet rising interest after Korean became an official second foreign language option in 2024. Climate Pressure: A WMO regional report flags worsening heat, floods, and drought across Latin America and the Caribbean—raising the stakes for resilient infrastructure and energy planning.

AI Infrastructure Rush: HIVE Digital’s BUZZ HPC is buying Toronto land for a $58M push toward a 320MW “AI gigafactory” with 100,000+ GPUs, and the market reacted fast—shares jumped as much as 40% on the news, deepening HIVE’s pivot from Bitcoin mining to compute-heavy AI. Science & Outreach: In South Dakota, the DUNE neutrino conference mixed public talks (neutrinos “like ice cream,” yes) with big detector plans underground—another reminder that global research is increasingly tied to major infrastructure. Regional Trade Tension: Argentina opened economic bids for the Paraná–Paraguay waterway 25-year concession despite prosecutors warning of “serious and obvious irregularities,” with the winner set to tap about $600M/year in tolls. Paraguay Spotlight: Asunción will host ALIDE’s development-banking summit (May 20–22), putting fintech, inclusion, and climate-resilient investment on the regional agenda. Tech Culture: Titan OS is adding Mercado Play to smart TVs across LATAM, expanding local streaming options in Paraguay and beyond.