Jose Luis Chilavert

Jose Luis Chilavert was one of Paraguay’s greatest soccer players. Even though he played the goalie position he scored many important goals for the national team and for Velez Sarsfield (the club in Argentina were he played for a long time).

Chilavert was an expert free kicker and penalty kicker. Rivals would tremble when there was a foul and Chilavert would come running from the other end of the field to take the free or penalty kick. Chilavert is second for the goalie with the most goals in history. He also has the record for the only goal keeper to score a hat trick.

Chilavert was born in Luque, Paraguay in July 27, 1965. He made his debut in Sportivo Luqueño at fifteen years old. He moved on to Guarani, San Lorenzo (in Argentina), Real Zaragoza (in Spain), Velez Sarsfield (Argentina), Racing Club de Strasbourg (France) and Peñarol (Uruguay). Chilavert retired in 2004 playing for Velez Sarsfield, the team that he loved.

With the national team (the albirroja) Chilavert played the 1998 and 2002 World Cups. In 1995 and 1997 he was voted the world’s best goalkeeper.

The Velez Sarsfield, Chilavert won the Copa Libertadores and the Intercontinental Club Cup in 1994. He also won the Argentinean league on many occasions.

Chilavert is also known for his strong personality and his involvement with politics. He once refused to shake hands with corrupt general Lino Oviedo. Chilavert has also had a long lasting feud with Argentinean idol, Diego Maradona.

Immigration From Paraguay

During the Stroessner dictatorship, thousands of Paraguayans went to Argentina. Also, thousands of Paraguayans went to the United States and there is a huge community in New York City. In 1979 around 11,000 Paraguayans came to the United States. Alost of these came for political reasons (Stroessner) but many were young people in search of job or study opportunities. There is also a large Paraguayan community in Brazil.

In recent times, nothing is changing for the normal or poor people of Paraugay. The president before Lugo was a Colorado named Nicanor Duarte. During his presidency (2003-08) there was a little bit of growth that reached 6.8% in 2007 but this was largely due to soybean agriculture and exportation expansion and meat production, (Nickson, 2008).

Because most of the land is privately owned, normal people or poor farmers see very little or nothing of this small economic growth, this is well explained with, “However this faster economic growth was built on one of the most unequal structures of land tenure in the Americas and so its benefits were captured by a small elite of soybean farmers, cattle-ranchers and corrupt politicians." The National Statistical Office reports that 35.6% of the 6.2 million Paraguayans were still living in poverty in 2007 and Paraguayans living in extreme poverty has increased from 15.5% in 2005 to 19.4% in 2007.

When it seems that it is a time of small growth or optimism, there are mass migrations from Paraguay. The value of exports has gone from US$1 billion in 2005 to US$3 billion in 2007. Because people in the country, especially young people and rural people in 2002 the mass migration started. There were around 100,000 Paraguayans living in Spain in 2007 with only 11,000 being there legally.

Soy Farming

Soy has become the biggest cultivated crop in Paraguay. The soy boom started in the 1980s when Stroessner was still in power.

Before the soy boom, Paraguayan farmers grew a variety of crops and raised livestock for self sustenance and also to sell. They did not make much money but were in most cases at least able to feed themselves (usually not in an adequate manner). This is especially in the eastern region of the country were most of the population lives. This practice also kept the biodiversity of the region from being wiped out because farmers used fruit trees that were native to the region.

Today, roughly about five percent of the eastern forests remains and what can be seen is a sea of short green plants. These are the soybean plants. Industrial farmers, with many coming from Brazil, have been buying up the land for very cheap prices. In many cases farmers have been bullied, threatened or violence has been used against them. Many times these farmers are in debt and have to grow soy for loans. Also, the soy boom has not only evicted thousands of farmers, it has also displaced many indigenous communities.

Because the farming of soy is highly mechanized, many of those farmers who stayed behind to work have lost their jobs.

Soy has made the overall revenue of the country increase. There is a very large demand for soy worldwide and Paraguay has become a top worldwide producer. This growth in Paraguay reached 6.8% in 2007. But, because of the level of corruption in Paraguay, soy farmer do not observe the laws. For example they may use dangerous pesticides that can go into nearby communities.

But, the National Statistical Office reports that 35.6% of the 6.2 million Paraguayans were still living in povert in 2007 and Paraguayans living in extreme poverty has increased from 15.5% in 2005 to 19.4% in 2007.

Before, farmers were able to eat what they grew. But now with the soybean boom, they can no longer do that and they cannot grow livestock. Instead now they have to buy for most of their necessities.

Even though many of their leaders have been assassinated, Paraguayan farmers have become more organized. With the election of Fernando Lugo as president, there is hope among farmers because Lugo stated he would try to start a land reform. This will be very hard because so much of the land is privately owned and also because the corrupt Colorado Party machine is still intact. In Paraguay roughly one percent of the population owns 80 percent of the land.

Sources:

Cooperation as Rebellion: Creating Sustainable Agriculture in Paraguay

Paraguay: A Shift to the Left Under Lugo?

Paraguay (from global forest coallition)

The National Soccer Team (the albirroja)

Soccer (futbol or football as we call it in the rest of the world) is the most popular sport in Paraguay. Paraguayans are divided into what teams in the national league they support. But usually everyone supports the national team.

The Paraguayan soccer league was formed in 1906 and the first national team was formed in 1910.

The national team is called the "albirroja" because of the stripes in the uniform. Paraguay had the honor of participating in the first World Cup in 1930. It also classified in 1950, 1958 and 1986 before the recent times of success. Paraguay also won the 1953 and 1979 versions of the Copa America.

The albirroja has done well in recent times. It has classified for the last three world cups in 1998, 2002 and 2006 world cups. It is also on top of the classifing table for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Only a disaster will keep Paraguay out of the next world cup.

Many great players have played for the national team in the last 15 years. Some of them are Jose Luis Chilavert, Celso Ayala, Carlos Paredes, Miguel Benitez, Carlos Gamarra, Jose Cardozo, Francisco Arce, Denis Caniza, Roque Santacruz, Julio Caceres, Nelson Cuevas, Gabriel Gonzalez, Salvador Cabañas, Roberto Acuña, Luis Monzon, Adriano Samaniego and Claudio Morel.

Other great players from earlier times include: Romerito, Aurelio Gonzalez, Saturnino Arrua, Roberto Fernandez, Eugenio Morel and Juan Villalba.

Arsenio Erico, Paraguay's greates player, never played an official game with the national team. He is often compared in greatness to Pele and Maradona.

Terere

Terere is a drink that is consumed almost exclusively in Paraguay. It is the cold variation of mate. So, the herbs used also come from the yerba mate plant. So, it is basically the same thing as mate but it is served very cold.

Just like mate, terere is also drank through a silver straw called a bombilla and the mate is kept in a guampa. The guampa for terere is usually bigger or taller than the guampa that is used for mate. But, they can be the same ones too. The cold water is put poured into the guampa and sipped through the bombilla. The water is kept in a thermus and other herbs (such as mint) or lime can be put in that water. The bombilla, guampa and thermus can all be ornamentally made and this is one industry that is doing well in Paraguay. The thermus is usually decorated with leather and can be custom made so that whatever the owner wants can be written on it.

Terere works really well with the hot and humid Paraguayan climate. During the summer most people usually have terere around and it does not matter what time it is.

It is also part of the Paraguayan culture. Whenever people are together, terere is made and shared. Everyone takes a turn drinking a sip while there is usually one person who pours it and passes it to is next to drink turn it is.

Paraguayan Mate

Mate (or Paraguayan tea) is the crushed leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis (or yerba mate plant) which is a shrub or small tree that is found in the general area of Paraguay. The yerba mate is processed and cut down to small pieces.

This is a drink that is consumed hot. It is usually drank during the winter or in the morning by Paraguayans. This drink provides energy because it is highly caffinated. It is prepared by putting the dry leaves of the yerba mate into the special cup called a guampa (in Brazil it is called cuia). The guampa can be made of wood, silver, or a hollow bull horn. There is a metal straw which is traditionally silver called a bombilla (or bomba in Portuguese. Boiling water is poured in the guampa and the water is sucked through the bombilla. The pieces of yerba are not sucked though because the bombilla has a filter on the end that goes into the guampa. This practice is not only very common in Paraguay, it is also common in Argentina, Uruguay and southern Brazil.

The water is stored in a thermus which can be decoreted and ornamental. The same thing goes for the guampa and bombilla. This is an industry that still thrives in Paraguay.

The health benefits of yerba mate are starting to be seen around the world because it is a healthier alternative to other drinks and it has antioxidents.

More sources:

Good article on mate and its preparation

goyerbamate.com

Deforestation In Paraguay

Deforestation in Paraguay is an example of the destruction of the environment that goes on in most developing countries that through wanting to industrialize or because of lack of laws or resources and the will to implement them. Deforestation is a huge problem that has already taken away a big chunk of the country’s forests. There are no exact rates of deforestation in Paraguay, but the Secretariat of the Environment estimates that it is around 130,000 hectares a year.

Paraguay is separated into two regions, the eastern or Oriental Region that has 39 percent of the territory and 97 percent of the population and the western or Chaco Region that has 61 percent of the country’s surface but only 3 percent of the population. The east and west regions of Paraguay are divided by the Paraguay River and there is only about two percent of forest land left in the eastern region due to the expansion of soybean cultivation, cattle ranching and logging.

The destruction of Paraguayan forests is due to the cattle industry, soy farming and logging. There is a big issue with loggers coming in from Brazil and cutting down trees and taking them back to their country as raw materials. So, not only does Paraguay lose its forests but many times the country can not even profit from them. There is also the issue that only only a few hands own a great majority of the land and these hands only look to profit from the land. The model for development in Paraguay is, as in most of the world, an unsustainable model of progress.

Paraguay has a long history or even culture of corruption. This corruption is in all levels of government, from national to local. The Colorado Party has had a huge part in this. Because of this anyone who has the money and means to pay off authorities can do whatever he or she wants. And this includes the destruction of the Paraguayan ecosystem.

Almost all of the Paraguayan countryside is privately owned. Some of the primary responsible parties for all of the deforestation are private parties and the government that lets them do whatever they want. During the dictatorship of Alfredo Stroessner large sections of land were given to his friends and supporters (who were mostly all military generals). This has been passed down until today when few families own a lot of the land.

Paraguay has recently put into action a Zero Deforestation Law for the eastern region (or Upper Parana) of the country. “Before Paraguay's Zero Deforestation Law came into force in December 2004, the South American nation had the second highest deforestation rate in the world” (WWF, 2006).But, the destructive cattle ranchers and loggers are moving into the western region of the country. The Zero Deforestation Law expired at the end of 2008 but luckily it was renewed for another five years. But the western forests also need to be protected.

More sources:

WWF Paraguay

Interesting article on deforestation and indigenous peoples in Paraguay

Asuncion The Capital of Paraguay

Asuncion is the capital of Paraguay and its largest city. It is located on the banks of the Paraguay River were it runs into the Pilcomayo River. Asuncion was founded on August 15, 1537 by the Spanish conquistadors and served as an important city for them. The full name of the city is Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, meaning “Our Lady of the Assumption,” (because that is on August 15). The city was an important base and became the most important to the Spanish.

Asunción is 117 sq km (45 sq mi). The city is the political, economic and education center of Paraguay center of Paraguay, most things happen there. Asuncion receives a lot of migration from rural Paraguay and according to a 1992 census, the city has 502,400 residents. The population (according to a 2003 census) of the Gran Asuncion area (Asuncion and connected surrounding small cities) is of about 1.6 million people.

Asuncion has the main soccer teams, the national stadium (El Defensores del Chaco). There are also many landmarks monuments of the country. Some are the Pantheon of the Heroes (Panteon Nacional de los Heroes), Palacio de Lopez (were the president works) and the Cathedral.

Basic services in Asuncion (as in the rest of the country) are lacking. One big example is that whenever there are storms, the power goes out. Also when there are heavy rains, the streets of the city usually flood because of a lack of an adequate pipe and drain system. There are always problems with trash recollection, the maintenance of roads and other basic services. This again, proves the culture of corruption that the Colorado Party made a way of life in Paraguay.

The area of Gran Asuncion (Great Asuncion) includes the small cities of San Lorenzo, Lambaré, Fernando de la Mora, Capiatá, Luque, Mariano Roque Alonso, Ñemby, Villa Elisa and San Antonio.

Olimpia

Olimpia is the most glorious soccer (football) club in Paraguay. Since soccer is the most popular sport in Paraguay, this is very important. Olimpia is the only Paraguayan soccer club to ever win international titles. Thus, Olimpia has brought honor and respect to Paraguayan soccer.

Dutch physical fitness instructor William Paats was who introduced soccer to Paraguay in 1888. He was also the one who founded Club Olimpia in July 25, 1902. Since then Olimpia has won 38 Paraguayan championships, 3 Copa Libertadores (1979, 1990, 2002), 1 Intercontinental Club Cup (1979) (which was a match between the winner of the South American Libertadores Cup and the European Champions League), 2 South-American Recopas (1991, 2003), 1 'Joao Havelange' Supercup (Supercopa Libertadores) (1990), 1 InterAmerican Cup (1980).

After having won the 2002 Copa Libertadores against Sao Caetano from Brazil, Olimpia played European giants Real Madrid for the Intercontinental Club Cup (which is held in Tokyo). In an intense game, Olimpia was defeated 2 - 0.

Olimpia has been on a dry spell with its last national title having been in 2000 and is last international title having been in 2003. With a new board of directors, it is hoped that Olimpia will be able to get out of its slump and start winning titles once again. Even through this dry spell, Olimpia is the soccer team that still draws the most people to the stadium in Paraguay.

Some of Olimpia's great players include: Raul Vicente Amarilla, Gustavo Benitez, Luis Monzon, Hugo Talavera, Miguel Angel Benitez, Hugo Almeida, Luis Alberto Cubilla, Julio Caceres, Roque Santacruz and Carlos Paredes.

More sources:

Official site for Club Olimpia

Fernando Lugo

Fernando Lugo is a former Roman Catholic bishop who became the first non-colorado president of Paraguay in more than 60 years. The colorados had been ruling the country (and very badly) since 1947. Lugo lead a coallition of opposition political parties called the Patriotic Alliance for Change. He was alliade with the Liberal Party which is the second biggest party in Paraguay. This gave him a big push in his victory over the colorados. The 57 year old Lugo assumed office August 15, 2008 and his running mate and vice president is Federico Franco (who belongs to the Libertal Party).

Lugo was born in 1951 and became a priest in 1977. He was a missionary in Ecuador for five years. In 1992 Lugo was appointed head of the Divine Word order of Paraguay and two years later he was made a bishop. Lugo went on the serve ten years in the poor region of San Pedro, were he came to be known as the "bishop of the poor." Lugo has been highly influenced by the "liberation theology."

Lugo started gaining more national and even international attention when he helped organize and lead a big opposition rally in March 2006. Since the Paraguayan constitution prohibits ministers of any faith in becoming political candidates, Lugo resigned from the Catholic Church in December of 2006. The Vatican at first was undecided as to accepting his resignition or not and suspended him from his duties instead. In July, 2008 the Pope Benedict XVI decided to grant Lugo's request and remove his clerical status.

Lugo won with 41 percent of the vote while Blanca Ovelar, the Colorado Party candidate, recieved 31 percent of the vote. Lugo is preaching land reform and also renogotiaions of the treaties for both the Itaipu and Yacyreta dams (which Stroessner and previous colorado governments handled disastreoulsy).

The election of Lugo was an event of great joy for most paraguayans. Even many colorados voted for him because they were sick of all the corruption and poverty that the Colorado Party brought to the country. Sadly the Colorado Party is making things almost impossible for President Lugo. Every initiative and proposale is rejected and fought by the colorados. There are even splits in his own movement and this especially comes from the Liberal Party. Even his vice president has been making unfavorable comments on Lugo. Hopefully for those of us that want an equal and prosperous Paraguay, Lugo will be able to pull ahead with his plans.



More sources:

Intersting article on Lugo in New York Times