The Paraguay-Brazil joint commission met this week to discuss progress on a new phase of opening the Puente de la Integración, the second international bridge linking the two countries. The meeting, which lasted several hours and included representatives from border control agencies, served to exchange data on mobility at the new crossing and assess the next steps to expand its operations.
Second Class Minister of Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Daniel Falcon Lins, stated that the goal is to expand the bridge's provisional operation in the most intelligent way possible, based on accurate information about the volume of vehicle and pedestrian traffic. He added that at the next meeting, scheduled for June 19, authorities are expected to announce new measures related to traffic on the bridge, whether regarding schedules or types of vehicles.
Falcon Lins emphasized that the Brazilian government's position is to prioritize cargo transportation, which would have a positive impact on both the Puente de la Integración and the Puente de la Amistad, which connects Ciudad del Este to Foz do Iguaçu. "The two bridges do not exist in isolation; they exist as a kind of ecosystem. Everything that is done on one bridge is reflected on the other," he said.
The main disagreement between the two countries lies in Paraguay's request to allow light vehicle traffic on the new bridge. Brazil resists this idea, arguing that the intense flow of cars could hinder border control. "Sometimes you try to make things happen, but you are not prepared for them, and the result is sometimes worse. We must proceed carefully because this is a very complex issue," the Brazilian diplomat stated.
Falcon Lins used a metaphor to describe the negotiation: "It takes two to tango. Brazil and Paraguay want to dance, but both must agree. We need to align the two visions across the three levels of government: municipal, departmental, and national." He stressed that at stake are the well-being of tourists, truck drivers, and public safety concerns.
One of the main obstacles to the full opening of the Puente de la Integración is the lack of complementary infrastructure on both sides of the border. On the Paraguayan side, the work over the Monday River is not expected to be completed until next year and is considered essential for connecting to the Corredor Metropolitano del Este and enabling truck traffic. Additionally, the city of Presidente Franco is not prepared for heavy vehicle traffic in its urban area, and the passage of empty trucks during the day has already caused a series of inconveniences in the first months of operation.
Despite the difficulties, the Brazilian minister expressed optimism about the structure's future. "In the not-so-distant future, we will have a bridge that will serve as a model of operation not only for Brazil but for all of South America. The quality of the equipment being installed on the bridge, the scanners, and the other devices there are top-of-the-line," he stated.
Meanwhile, merchants in Ciudad del Este are calling for President Santiago Peña's intervention to push for the full opening of the Puente de la Integración, arguing that expanding traffic would benefit the local economy.