Asunción celebrated its 489th anniversary this Saturday, August 15, with a day marked by religious tradition, civic parades, and an intense cultural agenda, as the city prepares for crucial municipal elections in October. The celebrations began at dawn with the traditional nautical procession, which carried the image of Our Lady of the Assumption along the waters of the Paraguay River, recalling the capital's riverine origins.
Official acts included the flag-raising ceremony at the Government Palace, attended by President Santiago Peña, Vice President Pedro Alliana, and other authorities. The highlight was the civic-military parade on the Costanera Norte, which brought together some 3,000 members of the Armed Forces and 700 police officers. The event had a significant political moment: an effusive embrace between Peña and the president of the Colorado Party, Horacio Cartes, seen as a gesture of unity amid rumors of internal tensions within the government.
Simultaneously, opposition mayoral candidate Soledad Núñez gave an interview criticizing the city's current management. She stated that urban deterioration, insecurity, and the neglect of the Historic Center affect all citizens, regardless of party affiliation, and argued that her proposal could attract Colorado voters. Núñez promised a management model focused on security, housing, and comprehensive recovery of the city center.
The anniversary celebration takes place in a context of municipal financial crisis inherited from the previous administration. The Municipality of Asunción faces significant debt and critical liquidity, a scenario the next mayor will have to manage. The city, founded in 1537 and known as the "Mother of Cities," saw its central streets, such as Calle Palma, taken over by festivals like Palma Vy'a and AsuFest, with music, food fairs, and family activities.
Defense Minister Oscar González also spoke during the day, evaluating the operations of the Joint Task Force (FTC). He admitted that the mission to eliminate the Paraguayan People's Army (EPP) has not been fulfilled after 12 years and at a cost of millions of dollars, but defended that the military presence has brought development to regions in the north of the country. Meanwhile, Interior Minister Enrique Riera denied rivalry with the National Anti-Drug Secretariat (Senad) and highlighted coordination between security forces.
The day ended with AsuFest, a large free concert on the Costanera, concluding the celebrations that blended faith, history, and a reflection on the future challenges of the Paraguayan capital.