The precarious reopening of the road linking Fuerte Olimpo and Bahía Negra to the rest of the country, after 31 days of isolation, has created a standoff between residents and truckers in Alto Paraguay. The road, repaired by volunteers with support from two MOPC machines, can only handle light vehicles. To prevent heavy traffic from destroying the stretch, residents of Toro Pampa set up a barrier and began guarding it.
Four empty cattle trucks have been stuck in the area for 40 days. The drivers, who delivered their loads before the rains, were unable to return and now complain they are being detained without permission to leave. They cite economic and personal hardships from being away from home.
On Friday, a cargo truck broke through the barrier and got stuck, requiring a tractor to pull it out, worsening damage to the road. Since then, residents have stepped up surveillance. They argue that with the ground still waterlogged and the road narrow, heavy vehicles could get stuck and completely block the passage, as well as pose an accident risk.
On Tuesday, the Chamber of Deputies declared a state of emergency in Alto Paraguay due to alleged floods and destroyed roads. However, residents say there are no flooded communities in the department and that the central problem is lack of road maintenance. Sunday's rains, though light, already complicated traffic even for 4x4 pickup trucks, and one such vehicle remains stuck in the area known as 30 Syry.