The President of Paraguay's National Congress, Senator Basilio "Bachi" Núñez, issued an official statement repudiating the remarks made by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva regarding the War of the Triple Alliance. On Friday, while defending increased investment in the Brazilian Armed Forces, Lula stated that "one fine day, Paraguay decided to invade Brazil."
In the document, Núñez stated that the Brazilian leader's words have provoked a "profound reaction" in the country and that Paraguay's historical memory must be treated with "respect and sensitivity." He reaffirmed the Legislative Branch's commitment to defending this memory, which he called a permanent heritage and a non-negotiable expression of national sovereignty.
The Congress's reaction adds to a series of criticisms from Paraguayan politicians and former diplomats. Former Foreign Minister Euclides Acevedo described Lula's statements as a "political blunder" and a serious ignorance of history, expressing surprise at the silence of Paraguay's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the matter.
Liberal Senator Celeste Amarilla was one of the most outspoken, suggesting that Lula's words might reflect "some form of dementia" and stating that "leftism doesn't take away the foolishness he has." She called on Brazil to open its historical archives, which hold Paraguayan documents seized during the war, for a review of the facts.
Even sectors traditionally aligned with regional progressivism have spoken out. The Guasú Front, a left-wing coalition, issued a statement rejecting Lula's declarations while simultaneously criticizing the "silence and reprehensible inaction" of Paraguayan President Santiago Peña. The group also demanded the return of war trophies that remain in Brazil.
Within the ruling Colorado Party (ANR), Senator Silvio Ovelar, who declared himself an admirer of Lula, said the Brazilian president "made a slip-up" and expressed surprise at the lack of a statement from the Paraguayan Chancellery.
Former Ambassador Nelson Mora described Lula's remarks as "disrespectful" and a "major diplomatic blunder," highlighting that they occurred at a time of relative regional calm. Meanwhile, political leader and president of the Paraguayan Peasant Movement, Belarmino Balbuena, offered an atypical view, suggesting that Lula's statements were "provoked" by Paraguay's foreign policy, which he said is excessively aligned with the United States.
To date, the government of President Santiago Peña, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has not issued an official statement on the case, which has been questioned by opposition legislators and even allies.