The Chamber of Commerce and Services of Ciudad del Este forwarded to President Santiago Peña, on May 18, 2026, a formal request for the Paraguayan government to accelerate negotiations with Brazil and enable the full opening of the Puente de la Integración as of July 1, 2026. The letter, signed by the chamber's president, Said Mohamed Taigen, and by the secretary-general, Luis Gilberto Ruiz Díaz Ledesma, argues that the measure is urgent to improve connectivity and boost commerce in the tri-border region.
Currently, the Puente de la Integración operates partially and restrictively, according to the phases agreed between Paraguay and Brazil. The first phase, started on December 20, 2025, allowed only nighttime transit of empty trucks (7 p.m. to 7 a.m.). On January 29, 2026, a second phase authorized nighttime circulation of international tourist buses destined outside Ciudad del Este, Presidente Franco, or Foz do Iguaçu. Since then, there have been no further advances for the release of light vehicles, whether for tourists or border residents.
The business leaders highlight that full opening would significantly reduce congestion on the Puente de la Amistad, improve logistical conditions for international transport, increase the competitiveness of regional commerce and tourism, and generate new investment and employment opportunities. Additionally, they point out that increased import and export operations would raise customs and tax revenue for the Paraguayan state.
The impasse persists because Brazilian authorities, during the last meeting of the Paraguay-Brazil joint commission on May 8 in Foz do Iguaçu, maintained their refusal of light vehicle traffic. Brazil argues that there are no conditions to release light traffic due to the need for strict migration controls, which would require a large staff. The neighboring country insists that the new bridge be primarily for heavy trucks and international buses. However, even loaded truck traffic cannot be fully realized because complementary works and access routes for heavy vehicles have not yet been completed either in Presidente Franco or in Foz do Iguaçu.
The next meeting of the joint commission is scheduled for June 2026. The business sector considers the start of the second half of the year a strategic moment to consolidate the bridge as an axis of regional integration and asks that the Paraguayan government intensify efforts with Brazil.