World Factbook
Paraguay
República del Paraguay
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue, with an emblem centered on the white band; the emblem on one side of the flag is the national coat of arms, which has a five-pointed yellow star in a green wreath with the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY around it, all inside two circles; the other side of the flag has a circular treasury seal (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty and the words PAZ Y JUSTICIA) meaning: red stands for bravery and patriotism, white for integrity and peace, and blue for liberty and generosity
note 1: resembles the flag of the Netherlands, which does not have a central emblem
note 2: one of three national flags that differ on each side -- the others are Moldova and Saudi Arabia
Capital
name
Asunción
etymology
the name means "assumption" in Spanish; the Spanish founded the city on August 15, 1537, the Catholic feast day for the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
time difference
UTC-3 (2 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
25 16 S, 57 40 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal and compulsory until the age of 75
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
yes
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a native-born citizen of Paraguay
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
3 years
Constitution
history
several previous; latest approved and promulgated 20 June 1992
amendment process
proposed at the initiative of at least one quarter of either chamber of the National Congress, by the president of the republic, or by petition of at least 30,000 voters; passage requires a two-thirds majority vote by both chambers and approval in a referendum
Country name
etymology
derives from the river of the same name; the river's name may come from the Guarani words para (water or river) and guay (born)
local long form
República del Paraguay
local short form
Paraguay
conventional long form
Republic of Paraguay
conventional short form
Paraguay
Independence
14-15 May 1811 (from Spain)
note: the uprising against Spanish authorities took place during the night of 14-15 May 1811, so both days are celebrated in Paraguay
Legal system
civil law system with influences from Argentine, Spanish, Roman, and French civil law models; Supreme Court of Justice reviews legislative acts
Government type
presidential republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (consists of 9 justices divided 3 each into the Constitutional Court, Civil and Commercial Chamber, and Criminal Division)
subordinate courts
appellate courts; first instance courts; minor courts, including justices of the peace
judge selection and term of office
justices proposed by the Council of Magistrates or Consejo de la Magistratura, a 6-member independent body, and appointed by the Chamber of Senators with presidential concurrence; judges can serve until mandatory retirement at age 75
Executive branch
note
note : the president is both chief of state and head of government
cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by the president
chief of state
President Santiago PEÑA Palacios (since 15 August 2023)
election results
2023: Santiago PEÑA Palacios elected president; percent of vote - Santiago PEÑA Palacios (ANR) 43.9%, Efraín ALEGRE (PLRA) 28.3%, Paraguayo "Payo" CUBAS Colomés (PCN) 23.6%, other 4.2% 2018: Mario ABDO BENÍTEZ elected president; percent of vote - Mario ABDO BENÍTEZ (ANR) 49%, Efraín ALEGRE (PLRA) 45.1%, other 5.9%
head of government
President Santiago PEÑA Palacios (since 15 August 2023)
most recent election date
30 April 2023
election/appointment process
president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by simple-majority popular vote for a single 5-year term
expected date of next election
April 2028
National holiday
Independence Day, 14-15 May (1811) (observed 15 May); 14 May is celebrated as Flag Day
National color(s)
red, white, blue
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
1 (cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue
Political parties
Asociacion Nacional Republicana (National Republican Association) - Colorado Party or ANR Avanza Pais coalition or AP Frente Guasu (Broad Front coalition) or FG GANAR Alliance (Great Renewed National Alliance) (alliance between PLRA and Guasú Front) Movimiento Hagamos or MH Movimiento Union Nacional de Ciudadanos Eticos (National Union of Ethical Citizens) or UNACE Partido Cruzada Nacional (National Crusade Party) or PCN; note - formerly Movimiento Cruzada Nacional Partido del Movimiento al Socialismo or P-MAS Partido Democratica Progresista (Progressive Democratic Party) or PDP Partido Encuentro Nacional or PEN Partido Liberal Radical Autentico (Authentic Radical Liberal Party) or PLRA Partido Pais Solidario or PPS Partido Popular Tekojoja or PPT Patria Querida (Beloved Fatherland Party) or PPQ
Legislative branch
legislature name
Congress (Congreso)
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"Paraguayos, Republica o muerte!" (Paraguayans, the Republic or Death!)
history
adopted 1846 (lyrics) and 1934 (music)
lyrics/music
Francisco Esteban ACUNA de Figueroa/Remberto GIMENEZ
National symbol(s)
lion
Administrative divisions
17 departments ( departamentos , singular - departamento ) and 1 capital city*; Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Asuncion*, Boquerón, Caaguazú, Caazapá, Canindeyú, Central, Concepcion, Cordillera, Guairá, Itapúa, Misiones, Ñeembucú, Paraguarí, Presidente Hayes, San Pedro
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
Chamber of Deputies (Cámara de Diputados)
term in office
5 years
number of seats
80 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
4/30/2023
expected date of next election
April 2028
percentage of women in chamber
23.8%
parties elected and seats per party
National Republican Association/Colorado Party (ANR) (48); Authentic Radical Liberal Party (PLRA) - Alliances (23); National Crusade Party (CN) (4); Other (5)
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
Senate (Cámara de Senadores)
term in office
5 years
number of seats
45 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
4/30/2023
expected date of next election
April 2028
percentage of women in chamber
22.2%
parties elected and seats per party
National Republican Association/Colorado Party (ANR) (23); Authentic Radical Liberal Party (PLRA) - Alliances (12); National Crusade Party (CN) (5); Other (5)
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 234-4508
chancery
2209 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 483-6960
chief of mission
Ambassador Gustavo Alfredo LEITE Gusinky (since 5 September 2025)
consulate(s) general
Los Angeles, Miami, New York
email address and website
gabineteembaparusa@mre.gov.py Embajada de la República del Paraguay ante los Estados Unidos de América :: The Embassy (mre.gov.py)
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[595] (21) 213-728
embassy
1776 Mariscal Lopez Avenue, Asuncion
telephone
[595] (21) 248-3000
mailing address
3020 Asuncion Place, Washington DC 20521-3020
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Robert ALTER (since July 2025)
email address and website
ParaguayACS@state.gov https://py.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
CAN (associate), CD, CELAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, PROSUR, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHRC, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction