AGP Executive Report

World Cup Bid: Britain is reportedly preparing a major push to host the 2038 or 2042 World Cup, aiming to spread matches across regions to boost tourism, hospitality, and accommodation nationwide. Travel Safety: The U.S. State Department issued five updated travel advisory changes for Latin America, shifting from blanket warnings to more precise, place-by-place guidance for travelers. Passport Boost: Paraguay climbed to 29th in the Henley Passport Index (August 2026), reaching its best ranking since the index began, with visa-free access to 145 destinations. Culture & Tourism: Asunción kicks off Guarania Week (21–30 Aug) with events leading to National Guarania Day on 27 Aug. Heritage Restoration: Humaitá’s historic San Carlos de Borromeo ruins have reopened after maintenance and vegetation removal. Diplomatic Visit: Japan’s Crown Prince and Princess Akishino visited a Japanese-culture school in Paraguay, highlighting ties dating back 90 years. Adventure for Visitors: WRC ueno Rally del Paraguay returns 27–30 Aug, with Encarnación as the main hub and stages across Itapúa.

WRC Rally Guide for Paraguay: The WRC ueno Rally del Paraguay returns to Itapúa from Aug. 27–30, with Encarnación as the main hub and 22 gravel stages across towns including Cambyretá, Hohenau and Trinidad. Expect a ceremonial start at the Sambadrome, plus a Fan Zone and Service Park activities. Cultural Heritage in the Chaco: Paraguay’s National Secretariat of Culture has declared the Apostolic Vicariate of Pilcomayo a National Cultural Heritage Asset, protecting the 1956 complex in Boquerón. Asunción Art Restoration: Five historic murals at the Port of Asunción Cultural Centre are being restored under the “Asunción 500 Años” initiative. European Cinema in Asunción: The 17th European Cinema Cycle runs Aug. 19–Sep. 4 with free screenings and Spanish subtitles at three venues. Travel Safety Update: A multi-vehicle crash in Ypacara (Central) killed at least four and injured nine, including minors. Japan Royal Visit: Japan’s Crown Prince and Princess Akishino arrived in Asunción and will travel across Paraguay, marking 90 years since the first Japanese immigrants arrived.

WRC Rally Guide: The WRC ueno Rally del Paraguay returns to Itapúa from Aug. 27–30, with Encarnación as the main hub and 22 gravel stages across towns including Cambyretá, Hohenau, Trinidad and more—plus a Fan Zone and Service Park for visitors. Cultural Heritage: Paraguay’s National Secretariat of Culture has declared the Apostolic Vicariate of Pilcomayo a National Cultural Heritage Asset, protecting key buildings in the Chaco under SNC Resolution No. 394/2026. Asunción Arts & Walkability: Five historic murals at the Port of Asunción’s Cultural Centre are undergoing restoration as part of the “Asunción 500 Años” initiative, aiming to bring back their original colors and protect the works. Diplomatic Tourism: Japan’s Crown Prince and Princess Akishino arrived in Asunción for a visit marking 90 years since the first Japanese immigrants came to Paraguay, with stops including La Colmena and Yguazu. Road Safety: A multi-vehicle crash near Ypacarai in Central left at least four dead and nine injured after a truck’s brake failure caused a chain collision and a fire. Travel Calendar: The 17th European Cinema Cycle runs Aug. 19–Sept. 4 in Asunción with free screenings and Spanish subtitles at three cultural venues.

Cultural Heritage Boost: Paraguay’s National Secretariat of Culture has declared the Apostolic Vicariate of Pilcomayo a National Cultural Heritage Asset, protecting key buildings in the Chaco including the St. Michael the Archangel Church, the San Miguel Róga Episcopal House, and former Mennonite workshops. City Culture & Walkability: Five historic murals at the Port of Asunción’s Cultural Centre are now undergoing a full restoration under the “Asunción 500 Años” initiative, aiming to bring back their colors and preserve them for visitors. Travel-Friendly Events in Asunción: The 17th European Cinema Cycle runs Aug. 19–Sept. 4 with 10 free screenings across three cultural venues, with Spanish subtitles and a mix of comedies, dramas, animation, family films, and documentaries. Diplomatic Tourism Moment: Japan’s Crown Prince and Princess Akishino arrived in Paraguay for a visit marking 90 years since the first Japanese immigrants came, with stops including a memorial, meetings with President Santiago Peña, and visits to immigrant-linked areas. Road Safety Alert: A multi-vehicle crash near Ypacara left at least four dead and nine injured, after a truck carrying bricks suffered brake failure and struck vehicles at an intersection.

Cultural Heritage Protection: Paraguay’s National Secretariat of Culture has declared the Apostolic Vicariate of Pilcomayo a National Cultural Heritage Asset, formally protecting the St. Michael the Archangel Church complex in the Chaco (SNC Resolution No. 394/2026), including the Episcopal House and former Mennonite workshops. Free Film Tourism in Asunción: The EU and member states in Paraguay launch the 17th European Cinema Cycle (19 Aug–4 Sep 2026), with 10 European films screened free in Asunción at three cultural venues, all with Spanish subtitles. City Culture & Art Walks: Five historic murals at the Port of Asunción Cultural Centre are set for restoration under the “Asunción 500 Años” initiative, aiming to bring back the 1957 artworks’ original colors and protect them for the future. Sports & Travel Spotlight: Paraguay’s Diego Gómez has signed a new five-year deal with Brighton, while endurance fans can look to the Ulala Backyard Ultra Paraguay 2026 in San Bernardino, which drew nearly 300 runners from across the region. Road Safety Alert: A multi-vehicle crash near Ypacara left at least four dead and nine injured, after a heavy truck’s brake failure caused a chain collision and a fire.

Road & City Mobility: Construction has started on the new viaduct over Silvio Pettirossi Avenue as part of the Las Residentas Road Corridor, with the first three spans beginning inside the Paraguayan Air Force grounds and main beam assembly planned for Aug. 15–16; diversions are also set for Aug. 10–30 on General Elizardo Aquino Avenue to improve stormwater drainage and ease traffic between Asunción and Luque. Culture & Heritage: Five historic murals at the Cultural Centre of the Port of Asunción are being restored under the “Asunción 500 Años” initiative, aiming to clean, repair, reintegrate colors, and protect artworks created in 1957 by Adolfo Alberto Diez Gómez. Tourism & Sports: The Ulala Backyard Ultra Paraguay 2026 in San Bernardino crowned Argentine Leonardo Álvarez after 27 grueling laps (181 km over 27 hours), with Paraguayan Tobías Zañón taking second and the event drawing nearly 300 runners from the region. International Spotlight (Paraguay): Brighton secured a new five-year deal with Paraguayan midfielder Diego Gómez, keeping him tied to the Premier League club as they prepare for the next campaign. Safety on the Roads: A multi-vehicle crash in Ypacara (Central department) killed at least four people and injured nine others when a truck with brake failure rammed vehicles at an intersection and then hit a nearby house.

Paraguay Travel & Culture: Asunción’s Cultural Centre of the Port is restoring five historic murals from 1957 as part of the “Asunción 500 Años” push, with the National Secretariat of Culture leading multi-stage cleaning, repairs, color recovery, and protective finishing. City Life & Mobility: Construction has started on a new viaduct for the Las Residentas Road Corridor, aimed at improving the link between Asunción and Luque, with beam installation beginning on Silvio Pettirossi Avenue and planned road diversions in mid-to-late August. Sports Tourism: The Ulala Backyard Ultra Paraguay 2026 wrapped up in San Bernardino after 27 grueling hours, drawing nearly 300 runners from Paraguay and neighboring countries—another endurance event putting the area on the map for active travelers. Local Spotlight: A new “People of Asunción” profile highlights Marcelino Hudalla, a German expat who moved to Paraguay in 2025 and now explores the country while improving Spanish—good reading for visitors planning a longer stay.

Road Safety: A heavy truck with brake failure rammed multiple vehicles at an intersection near Ypacara, Central department, killing at least four people and injuring nine others, including minors. Heritage Restoration: Five historic murals at the Cultural Centre of the Port of Asunción are being restored under the “Asunción 500 Años” initiative, aiming to recover and protect artworks from 1957. City Infrastructure: Construction has started on the first spans of a new viaduct in the Las Residentas Road Corridor, improving the link between Asunción and Luque, with road diversions planned for late August. Sports & Tourism: Paraguay’s endurance scene gets a boost as Ulala Backyard Ultra Paraguay 2026 wraps up in San Bernardino, drawing nearly 300 runners from across the region. Football Spotlight: Brighton has signed Paraguayan midfielder Diego Gómez to a new five-year deal, keeping him in England as he continues to represent Paraguay internationally.

Asunción Culture & Heritage: Five historic murals at the Cultural Centre of the Port of Asunción are being restored under the “Asunción 500 Años” initiative, with a multi-stage process including cleaning, consolidation, color reintegration and protective finishing to bring back works from 1957 by Adolfo Alberto Diez Gómez. San Bernardino Tourism & Sports: The Ulala Backyard Ultra Paraguay returns on Aug. 15-16 at Club El Cortijo, San Bernardino, drawing runners from Paraguay and abroad and serving as a qualifier for Paraguay’s national team for the World Team Championship. Paraguay Travel Safety: A deadly multi-vehicle crash near Ypacarai left at least four people dead and nine injured after a truck carrying bricks suffered brake failure and hit vehicles at an intersection, then crashed into a house and sparked a fire. Road Access Update: Construction has started on new viaduct beams for the Las Residentas Road Corridor, aiming to improve the link between Asunción and Luque, with related road diversions scheduled for late August. Local Culture on the Table: A new human-interest piece spotlights chipa as a living tradition, following Norma McCready’s family roots and how she shares the food across borders. International Sports Spotlight: Paraguay’s Diego Gómez has signed a new five-year extension with Brighton, keeping the midfielder tied to the Premier League as he continues representing the country.

Road Safety: At least four people were killed and nine injured in a multi-vehicle crash in Ypacara, Central Department, after a heavy truck carrying bricks reportedly suffered brake failure on a slope and hit cars waiting at an intersection on Route PY02, then crashed into a nearby house and sparked a fire that spread to adjacent homes. Infrastructure & Commuting: Construction has started on the first spans of a new viaduct in Asunción’s Las Residentas Road Corridor, aimed at improving the link between Asunción and Luque, with beam assembly planned over Silvio Pettirossi Avenue and related road diversions scheduled for late August. Sports & Tourism: Bermuda’s squash team is in Asunción for the Pan American Senior Squash Championships, a key qualifier for the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima, bringing international visitors and attention to the city. Football: Paraguayan midfielder Diego Gómez has signed a new five-year deal with Brighton, keeping him in England long-term after a strong rise since joining from Inter Miami. Endurance Events: San Bernardino hosts the Ulala Backyard Ultra Paraguay on Aug. 15–16, drawing runners from Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and beyond and serving as a qualifier for Paraguay’s national team.

Paraguay Tourism & Culture: Asunción is celebrating its 489th anniversary (Aug. 15) with fresh looks at the city’s “hidden” architecture and its role as the original “Mother of Cities,” while a new human-interest piece spotlights how chipa traditions travel—Norma McCready shares her grandmother’s chipera roots from Asunción to New York. Local Infrastructure: Construction has started on a new viaduct linking Asunción and Luque as part of the Las Residentas Road Corridor, with major beam assembly planned for Aug. 15–16 and short-term road diversions set for late August. Sports Tourism: San Bernardino hosts the Ulala Backyard Ultra Paraguay (Aug. 15–16), drawing nearly 200 runners and serving as a qualifier for Paraguay’s national team for the World Team Championship. International Spotlight: Paraguay’s Diego Gómez has signed a new five-year deal with Brighton, keeping the spotlight on Paraguayan talent abroad.

Asunción City Life & Heritage: Asunción marked its 489th anniversary with fresh looks at its “Mother of Cities” legacy and hidden historic architecture, spotlighting how old facades and courtyards still tell Paraguay’s story. Infrastructure for Travelers & Commuters: Construction has started on a new viaduct corridor linking Asunción and Luque, with major beam assembly planned for Aug. 15–16 and related road diversions set for late August. Sports Tourism in Paraguay: The Ulala Backyard Ultra Paraguay returns Aug. 15–16 in San Bernardino, drawing nearly 200 runners and acting as a qualifier for Paraguay’s national team. Paraguayan Talent Abroad: Brighton extended Paraguayan midfielder Diego Gomez on a five-year deal, keeping him tied to the Premier League as he continues to represent Paraguay internationally. Local Culture on the Move: A feature on chipa traces how the dish travels with Paraguayans abroad, connecting family tradition in Asunción to life in New York. International Travel Buzz: Sziget Festival says it welcomed visitors from 112 countries across six continents, underscoring Paraguay’s wider regional tourism pull.

Sports Tourism in Asunción: Bermuda sends six squash players to the Pan American Senior Squash Championships in Asunción, the official qualifier for the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima. City Heritage Walks: Asunción marks its 489th anniversary with fresh attention on hidden historic buildings and the architecture shaped by 19th-century modernization and post–Triple Alliance rebuilding. International Festival Buzz: Hungary’s Sziget Festival says it welcomed visitors from 112 countries across six continents, with international attendance around 50%. Road & Commuter Update: Construction has started on new viaduct beams for the Las Residentas Road Corridor, linking Asunción and Luque, with planned beam assembly over Silvio Pettirossi Ave this weekend and related diversions in August. Endurance Event: San Bernardino hosts the Ulala Backyard Ultra Paraguay (Aug 15–16), a qualifier for Paraguay’s national Backyard Ultra team. Paraguay in Global Football: Brighton has signed Paraguay midfielder Diego Gómez to a new five-year deal.

Asunción–Luque Transport Boost: Construction has started on new viaduct longitudinal beams over Silvio Pettirossi Avenue as part of the Las Residentas Road Corridor, with key beam assembly planned for Aug. 15–16 and related diversions on General Elizardo Aquino Avenue from Aug. 10–30. Endurance Tourism in San Bernardino: The 5th Ulala Backyard Ultra Paraguay runs Aug. 15–16 at Club El Cortijo, drawing nearly 200 runners and serving as a qualifier for Paraguay’s national team for the World Team Championship in Oct. Football & Paraguay Abroad: Brighton has signed Paraguayan midfielder Diego Gomez to a new five-year deal, keeping him tied to the Premier League club after his rise since joining from Inter Miami. Culture on the Move: A Paraguayan chipa tradition story follows Norma McCready, sharing how her grandmother’s early-morning baking roots the snack in identity across borders. Travel Inspiration: A guide highlights Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kyrgyzstan as under-visited destinations worth planning around.

Infrastructure Update: Construction has started on the new viaduct over Silvio Pettirossi Avenue as part of the Las Residentas Road Corridor, with the first three spans under the Paraguayan Air Force grounds and major beam assembly planned for Aug. 15–16; MOPC also announced short-term diversions on General Elizardo Aquino Avenue from Aug. 10–30 to improve stormwater drainage. Sports & Tourism Pulse: Paraguay international midfielder Diego Gómez has signed a new five-year deal with Brighton, keeping the spotlight on Paraguayan talent abroad. Culture Abroad: A profile follows Norma McCready, 51, carrying her grandmother’s chipa tradition from Asunción to New York—an easy, human story for travelers who love food routes. Events in Paraguay: The Ulala Backyard Ultra Paraguay 2026 returns Aug. 15–16 at Club El Cortijo in San Bernardino, drawing runners from Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and beyond and acting as a qualifier for Paraguay’s national team. Tech & Travel Economy: Paraguay’s second Accelerating Bitcoin conference opens Aug. 12–13 at Paseo La Galería, bringing international speakers and reinforcing Asunción’s growing role as a regional crypto hub.

Americas Security & Tourism Context: U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth pushed the fight against narco-terrorism at the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition forum in Panama and joined PANAMAX 2026 drills near the Panama Canal—an indirect reminder that regional stability matters for travel planning. Paraguay Sports & Visitor Pull: Olimpia’s Copa Sudamericana clash vs Vasco da Gama is set for Aug 13 (6:00 PM), with the Paraguayan side arriving in mixed domestic form but leading its group—good news for fans and matchday tourism. Endurance Event in San Bernardino: The Ulala Backyard Ultra Paraguay returns Aug 15–16 at Club El Cortijo, drawing nearly 200 runners and acting as a qualifier for Paraguay’s national team, boosting hotels and local spending. Cross-Border Travel Disruption: Snow and high winds have kept Argentina–Chile’s Cristo Redentor corridor closed for nearly a month, stranding thousands of trucks and affecting travelers across the Andes. Paraguay Travel Economy Signals: Paraguay’s hotel industry is reported up 43% in the first half of 2026, while the country positions itself as a destination for people and capital. Tech for Travelers: MosquitOFF’s NASA-backed dengue prediction app is rolling out in Paraguay’s Yguazú, aiming to help visitors and locals plan safer trips. Bitcoin Conference in Asunción: Accelerating Bitcoin (Aug 12–13) opens its second edition at Paseo La Galería, bringing global speakers and reinforcing Paraguay’s growing role in crypto tourism and business travel.