Germany–Paraguay relations

Germany–Paraguay relations refers to the diplomatic relations between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of Paraguay. Both nations enjoy friendly relations, the importance of which centers on the history of German migration to Paraguay. Approximately 300,000 Paraguayans claim German origin.[1] Both nations are members of the United Nations.

Germany–Paraguay relations

Germany
Paraguay

History
German migrants in Hohenau, Paraguay, 1912.

Paraguay established diplomatic relations with Prussia in 1860.[2] In the aftermath of the War of the Triple Alliance between Paraguay and its neighbors, Paraguay lost up to 69% of its population, most of them due to illness, hunger and physical exhaustion, of which 90% were male. As a result, Paraguay took steps to promote immigration to the country.[3] Several communities from Europe and Asia took initiative to settle in Paraguay. One of the first groups were a group of Germans led by Bernhard Förster and Elisabeth Förster-Nietzsche (the sister of German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche) who came to Paraguay in 1887 with 14 German families to establish and create a model community in the New World and to demonstrate the supremacy of German culture and society.[4] The settlement they established was called Nueva Germania. The settlement did not last and several people from the settlement returned to Germany, however, many stayed and their descendants remain in Paraguay today. Later groups of Mennonites arrived to Paraguay and settled in the Gran Chaco region of the country.[3]

In 1922, Germany opened a diplomatic legation in Asunción.[2] Between the two World Wars, there were several more waves of German immigration to the country. During World War II, Paraguay was initially in favor of the Axis powers, however, due to international pressure, Paraguay declared war on the Axis powers in February 1945. During the war, Paraguay was a major hotspot for German espionage during Operation Bolívar. After the war, Paraguay received many Nazis to the country escaping capture and trial. Notable Nazis such as Eduard Roschmann and Josef Mengele had moved to Paraguay. In 1959, Josef Mengele became a naturalized citizen of Paraguay and resided in Hohenau, Paraguay near the Argentine border.[5]

In 1954, West Germany opened an embassy in Asunción. That same year, Alfredo Stroessner became President of Paraguay. Stroessner was of German origin through his father side and ruled Paraguay for 35 years. His time in office became known as El Stronato. Stroessner kept close political ties with West Germany and paid several visits to the country, however, relations between West Germany and Stroessner soured when the West German government pressured him to stop sheltering Nazi war criminals in Paraguay.[6] In 1964, the West German government asked to Stroessner to extradite Mengele but Stroessner angrily refused and would not strip him of his citizenship either.[7] In February 1989, Stroessner was ousted from power and relations between West Germany and Paraguay resumed once again.

After the reunification of Germany; Germany has continued to assist Paraguay on the road to democracy, both with its investigations into the human rights violations committed during the Stroessner dictatorship.[8] The German development agency, GIZ, has developed several development related projects in Paraguay. Furthermore, leaders of both nations have met on numerous occasions and have signed several bilateral agreements. In May 2019, Paraguayan Foreign Minister Luis Castiglioni paid a visit to Germany and met with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas. During his visit, Foreign Minister Castiglioni asked for continued German support in strengthening of the rule of law, scholarships programs for specializations and assistance in fighting against deforestation and climate change in Paraguay.[9]

Trade

In 2019, trade between both nations totaled €270 million.[8] Germany's main exports to Paraguay include: vehicle parts, machinery and chemical products. Paraguay's main exports to Germany include: raw materials, especially oil seeds and oleaginous fruits. The main focuses of Germany's development cooperation with Paraguay are rural development and the sustainable management of resources.[8]

Embassy of Paraguay in Berlin

Resident diplomatic missions

See also

References
  1. Establecarán Nueva Colonia de alemanes en Paraguay (in Spanish)
  2. Geschichtlicher Überblick (in German)
  3. German Immigration and Adaptation to Latin America (page 47)
  4. German Outpost Born of Racism in 1887 Blends Into Paraguay
  5. Mengele Hunt Focuses on Paraguay
  6. Paraguayan Puts off Bonn Visit
  7. An awkward friendship blossoms between Jerusalem and Asunción
  8. Paraguay: Bilateral Relations
  9. Paraguay y Alemania se comprometen a fortalecer institucionalidad, aumentar becas y combatir la deforestación (in Spanish)
  10. Embassy of Germany in Asunción
  11. Embassy of Paraguay in Berlin
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