Departamento Central

In the early hours of Tuesday, a car fell into a deep hole on Pozo Favorito Street in the Central neighborhood of Mariano Roque Alonso, Central Department. The driver, Medardo Olmedo, was unharmed, but the vehicle had to be removed by a tow truck. Residents attribute the asphalt collapse to the rupture of Essap pipes and recent rains, and criticize the administration of Mayor Carolina Aranda for lack of maintenance.

A serious accident on Ruta Acceso Sur in Itá left four women injured after a truck collided with and dragged their car into a drainage ditch. Two elderly women were hospitalized with suspected fractures.

Jorge Daniel Samudio, known as 'Freddie Mercury', was detained along with two other men, including a retired non-commissioned officer of the Armed Forces, suspected of robbing two gas stations in Limpio, Central Department. Police seized a vehicle, a pistol, and ammunition.

INE data show that 85.4% of Paraguayans aged 10 or older used the internet in the past year, up from 81.6% in 2024. Young people lead, women outpace men, and Asunción has the highest rate (90.9%). Despite progress, inequalities persist between urban and rural areas.

Paraguay's Ministry of Health records an average of 348 weekly dengue notifications, with 57 confirmed cases in the last three weeks, predominantly in the Central Department and Asunción. The DENV-1 serotype has been identified. Two cases of chikungunya have also been confirmed in Pedro Juan Caballero, one imported from Bolivia. Authorities warn to maintain prevention measures even with the cold.

A 16-year-old teenager is hospitalized in intensive care at the Trauma Hospital of Asunción after being run over by a pickup truck in Capiatá, Central Department. The driver, aged 70, tested negative for alcohol but was under the effect of controlled medications. Family members demand the driver's responsibility for the costs.

The National Institute of Statistics (INE) reported that 85.4% of Paraguayans aged 10 or older used the internet in the last evaluated period. Young people aged 25 to 29 lead with 97.1%, while inequality between urban areas (88.2%) and rural areas persists, with San Pedro and Caazapá recording the lowest rates.

Two criminals on a motorcycle approached a young man on a dirt road in the Mbachio neighborhood of Lambaré, shot him in the foot, and stole his motorcycle and other belongings. The victim underwent surgery and is recovering.

Paraguay's Ministry of Health has vaccinated more than 420,000 children aged 1 to 5 against measles and rubella, reaching 90% of the national target. While Ñeembucú and Paraguarí achieved 100% coverage, the departments of Central, Asunción and Alto Paraná register the lowest rates, between 83% and 85%, threatening herd immunity. The campaign ends on May 29.

Parishes in Asunción and the Central Department have started accepting donations via QR Code, adapting to the growth of digital payments and preventing worshippers from relying on cash during services.

A large fire destroyed two commercial establishments at the Limpio Municipal Market in the Central Department on Sunday afternoon. Six fire companies prevented the flames from spreading, but the lack of hydrants on site forced the use of water tanker trucks, reviving long-standing complaints from merchants about precarious electrical installations and difficult access to water.

Auto parts theft in Paraguay has evolved from a crime of opportunity into a structured illicit industry, moving millions per day. The made-to-order request model fuels the black market, with parts openly sold on social media. In Asunción, up to 250 thefts are recorded daily, and impunity is high, with detainees released in less than 24 hours.

The Public Prosecutor's Office clarified that there is no confirmation that the 7-year-old boy, found dead alongside his mother in Lambaré, was a victim of sexual abuse, as alleged by the mother in a complaint filed in December 2024. A medical examination ruled out physical injuries and signs of sexual violence, and the child did not attend scheduled psychological interviews.

A large fire consumed a commercial establishment at Limpio Market, Central Department, on the afternoon of May 18. Volunteer firefighters controlled the flames and there were no injuries, only material damage. The cause of the fire remains unknown.

Vehicle movement increased significantly this Sunday on Route PY02, especially at the Ypacaraí toll booth, with a large flow of travelers returning to Asunción and cities in the Central Department. The Highway Patrol reports that, despite queues, traffic is steady and there are no major blockages.

The return to the metropolitan area of Asunción occurs without congestion on the Luque-San Bernardino route, with three toll booths open for entry into Ecovía and stable vehicle flow.

INE data released on World Telecommunications Day show that 85.4% of Paraguayans aged 10 or older used the internet in 2025, with highlights for women, young people, and urban areas.

Mónica Idalia González, 26, and her 7-year-old son were found dead in a boarding house in the Santa Luísa neighborhood of Lambaré. Police are investigating the hypothesis of filicide followed by suicide.

Between April 2025 and April 2026, the Social Security Institute (IPS) expanded its protected population by 63,456 people, totaling 1,666,595 insured individuals. Asunción, Central, and Alto Paraná concentrate more than 80% of the insured, reflecting the formalization of employment in the country's main economic hubs.

A 42-year-old woman was arrested in Ypané, Central Department, after assaulting her husband and two daughters and attempting to set the residence on fire. She was intoxicated and threatened suicide. Police referred her to the Public Prosecutor's Office.

President Santiago Peña acknowledged that the monthly deficit of the Social Insurance Institute (IPS) exceeds US$ 20 million and suggested increasing revenue, reducing evasion, and improving spending efficiency, while IPS President Isaías Fretes announces cuts to obsolete medications and administrative reorganization.

President Santiago Peña stated that Horacio Cartes will be the ANR presidential candidate in 2027, highlighting his recovery and energy. Peña asked Cartes to continue leading the party, calling him fundamental support of the government.

A dense fog covered Asunción and cities of the Central Department on Saturday morning, reducing visibility and affecting ground and air traffic. The Director of Meteorology, Eduardo Mingo, explained that the phenomenon is called fog when visibility is less than one kilometer, and mist when it is greater. The Silvio Pettirossi Airport in Luque recorded low visibility, but no flights were canceled, according to Dinac.

The Ministry of Childhood and Adolescence (Minna) reported that the 147 Fono Ayuda hotline received 578 calls in April 2026, involving 1,110 children and adolescents in vulnerable situations. The main violations were failure to fulfill the duty of care (459 cases), mistreatment (406), social risk (192), street situation (125), and alleged sexual abuse (102). The Central department led the records with 266 cases, followed by Asunción (113) and Itapúa (38). The cases were forwarded to the Public Prosecutor's Office, the Public Defender's Office, and CODENI.