The patience of Asunción's drivers has reached its limit. The microcenter of the Paraguayan capital is overrun with deep potholes, destroyed manholes, and standing water, turning streets into dangerous traps for vehicles and pedestrians. At the corner of 15 de Agosto and República de Colombia, a storm drain collapsed, leaving exposed and rusty rebar that tears tires and threatens the safety of passersby. There, the asphalt has completely disappeared, leaving only a succession of flooded craters.
The situation repeats on Ygatimí Avenue, especially at the intersection with Montevideo, where the pavement has disintegrated due to constant leaks from pipes of the Sanitary Services Company (Essap). The accumulated water and uneven surfaces deform the road, posing a risk to motorcyclists. On the stretch between Colón and Hernandarias, long rows of potholes occupy the main sidewalk, many filled with water that hides their true depth.
What most outrages taxpayers is the contrast between the abandonment and public spending. In 2025, the administrations of Óscar Rodríguez and Luis Bello had US$ 18.2 million allocated for pothole patching, an amount not reflected in the reality of the streets. Mayor Bello maintains the “self-promotion” model with the Asu 400 plan, criticized for generating more complaints than solutions. Additionally, the city hall is advancing slowly on storm drainage projects, half of what Rodríguez had promised with the G8 bonds of 2022.
Carlos Pereira, intervenor of the previous administration, documented that Rodríguez diverted G. 512 billion from the bonds to salaries and other current expenses, instead of investing in drainage. Of the eight promised works, only four were started and none completed. Under pressure, Rodríguez resigned in August, and Bello took office.