Paraguay Approves US Defense Agreement

Paraguay's Chamber of Deputies approved the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), a defense agreement allowing the temporary presence of United States military and civilian personnel within its borders. This agreement, signed in Washington in December, establishes a legal framework for United States security forces in Paraguay for training, joint exercises, and humanitarian assistance, and grants the United States criminal jurisdiction over its personnel. President Santiago Peña, a close ally of Donald Trump, is expected to sign the deal into effect. The treaty was praised by the United States State Department and Paraguayan Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez Lezcano as historic, aiming to strengthen cooperation in fighting transnational organized crime and terrorism. However, some legislators and civil organizations like Peace and Justice Service raised concerns over potential violations of sovereignty and immunity provisions for foreign troops.