The Spanish ambassador to Paraguay, Javier Parrondo, highlighted that approximately 150,000 Paraguayans currently reside in his country, forming the second-largest Paraguayan community abroad. In an interview with Radio 780 AM, the diplomat praised the social and labor integration of his compatriots, who are highly valued during their working lives and tend to return to Paraguay only upon retirement.
Parrondo reported that the Paraguayan population is concentrated mainly in the cities of Madrid, Málaga, and Barcelona, where the country has consular representation. Beyond human ties, he emphasized economic relations, noting that Spain is currently the fifth-largest foreign investor in Paraguay.
The ambassador projected that this commercial relationship will be significantly boosted by the recent signing of the agreement between the European Union and Mercosur. According to him, the treaty will create a common market of more than 800 million people by reducing tariff barriers, generating unprecedented development opportunities. Parrondo urged Paraguay to look with greater priority towards Europe, which he considers a natural partner for Latin America, in addition to Asian markets and the United States.