Volunteer firefighters from three municipalities in the Paraguayan department of Alto Paraná held simultaneous or consecutive protests this week, demanding the immediate transfer of municipal funds withheld by local governments. The financial crisis is compromising the operational capacity of the fire departments, resulting in inoperable vehicles and the partial suspension of emergency services.
In Hernandarias, the three local companies — the "Amarillos" (K-121), the "Azules" (K-3), and the San Francisco neighborhood unit — parked their trucks with sirens blaring in front of the city hall on Monday. According to Aníbal Adorno, a representative for K-3, the municipal debt owed to his unit ranges between G. 130 million and G. 180 million, depending on the source consulted, accumulated over nine months. For the Amarillos, the delay has persisted since April 2026, while the San Francisco unit has been waiting for transfers for eight months. Adorno warned that without resources, the units could suspend services entirely within three days.
The lack of maintenance is already directly affecting the local population. In Hernandarias, injured patients are being transported in standard pickup trucks due to the inoperability of ambulances. The K-3 company owns six vehicles, but only one tanker truck is functional; the other five remain idle due to mechanical defects unrepaired for lack of funds. Mayor Nelson Cano, affiliated with the Colorado Party (ANR), has not responded to the mobilizations so far.
The problem extends to other key cities in the region. In Minga Guazú, Company K-122 protested on Tuesday against a six-month delay, estimated at between G. 150 million and G. 170 million. Its president, Arnaldo Maciel, stated that legal counsel is preparing a complaint against the mayor for alleged breach of trust and misappropriation. The unit announced a temporary reduction in operational capacity, maintaining only one active ambulance, while relying on internal fundraising to purchase basic supplies such as gloves and masks.
In Ciudad del Este, the situation is critical in absolute terms. The local Volunteer Fire Department, which has about 700 volunteers distributed across three stations and four operational bases, has accumulated a debt exceeding G. 3 billion since December 2025. The institution needs approximately G. 120 million per month to operate but receives only G. 70 million from contributing members. President Andrés Fernández Aquino attributed part of the bureaucratic hurdles to the implementation of the Integrated Administration System for Administrative Records (Siara), although he confirmed receiving fuel from the municipality as a palliative measure.
In Presidente Franco, the delay corresponds to the months of July and August, totaling about G. 30 million. José Velázquez, president of the institution, stated that Mayor Roque Godoy, of the Authentic Radical Liberal Party (PLRA), committed to regularizing payments during this week. Municipal fees collected from taxpayers to fund the fire departments are withheld by city halls, creating a funding vacuum that threatens regional public safety.