Paraguay’s traditional military-police parade went ahead on Thursday after the government of President Santiago Peña reversed an earlier decision to cancel it, according to a report by ABC Color.
The parade, part of the celebrations for the 215th anniversary of independence, was held on the Costanera José Asunción Flores in Asunción. Peña presided over the event, accompanied by Vice President Pedro Alliana, Congress President Basilio “Bachi” Núñez, Chamber of Deputies President Raúl Latorre, and other executive branch officials.
On May 6, Colonel Nelson Ortiz had confirmed that the traditional military parade would not take place this year. That announcement generated widespread criticism, and the government ultimately reversed course, ABC Color reported, describing the reversal as a “reculada” (backtrack) by the Cartista administration.
Approximately 3,000 military personnel took part, representing the Paraguayan Army, Navy, Air Force, and Logistics Command. The presidency said in a statement that “the patriotic day brought together national authorities, military forces, and citizens on a date marked by memory, historical recognition, and reaffirmation of the values that gave rise to the Republic of Paraguay.”