Paraguay has recorded a historic turnaround in the fight against drug trafficking, according to the latest Annual Balance of Cocaine Seizures produced by the InSight Crime foundation. The country, which three years ago was identified as the central corridor for cocaine trafficking to Europe, with up to 66 tons seized at European ports originating from Paraguay, saw domestic seizures fall to about one ton in 2025 — an 82.6% reduction from the previous year.
Interior Minister Enrique Riera shared the report's chart on his X account, highlighting that the decline does not signal a reduction in regional production — which remains at record levels in Colombia and Bolivia — but rather results from a zero-tolerance policy and coordinated actions among the Interior Ministry, the National Anti-Drug Secretariat (SENAD), the National Police, and the Public Prosecutor's Office.
According to authorities, strengthened internal controls and state presence have made Paraguay an unattractive departure point for criminal organizations. The implementation of scanning technology at ports and borders, the use of drones and radar, and the disruption of internal logistics structures are cited as decisive factors. The so-called “balloon effect” — the shift of routes to Brazilian ports or to the Pacific — is mentioned as a direct consequence of the increased risk of seizure in the country.
Another pillar of the new strategy was the redefinition of international cooperation. After a period of adjustments in relations with the DEA, the Paraguayan government resumed collaboration under new efficiency standards, prioritizing investigations with its own sovereign intelligence. The current focus is on dismantling criminal logistics from within, eliminating the political protection that previously existed, and bringing high-profile figures to justice.
The InSight Crime report, based on official sources and local media from each country, places Paraguay well below neighbors such as Brazil and Argentina in detected transit volume. For the government, the “silence on drug routes” is the noise of control finally taking hold, consolidating the country as a safer environment for investment and economic growth.