Asuncion, Paraguay

Overview:

Landlocked Paraguay is at the heart of South America, surrounded by Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil.  Political unrest, corruption and chronic economic problems have plagued the country's fragile democracy since it emerged from the 35-year dictatorship of the late Gen Alfredo Stroessner in 1989.  Around a quarter of Paraguayans live below the national poverty line. Much of the land is owned by a small number of individuals and successive governments have been slow to implement land reform. The economy is reliant on agriculture and hydroelectric power. Unlike its neighbors, Paraguay does not have a large tourism industry.  Most of the population is of mixed Spanish and Guarani descent, known as mestizos, and speak the indigenous language Guarani as well as Spanish. Former senator Mario Abdo Benítez, of the ruling Colorado Party, assumed office in August 2018.

Source:  BBC Country Profile

American Embassy Asuncion:

The inspection took place from The DCM was David M. Robinson who went on to become a Minister-Counselor, Ambassador to Guyana and currently the Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization. The Management Officer was Frank Ledahawsky who is now the Management Counselor in London.  The FMO was Tim Sears was on his first tour and retired now and working as a REA with INL/AME.  Also, the local hire HR specialist, Karin MacGuire, was very impressive and, in fact, was nominated to become an HRO.  She is still working at the embassy as OIG is conducting a virtual inspection of the embassy this year.

Findings:

Embassy was housed in 50-year old building with insufficient office space. Accordingly, post management needed to submit space design plans to A/FBO to remodel the executive office areas, political, economic, consular, regional security and consular section to include a proper cashier office and contiguous office space for all consular section employees. OIG understood that funding for construction of new embassy compound was postponed due to a funding shortfall and was scheduled for 2010.  Management was still working under the old Joint Administrative Operation (JAO) and had not really embraced International Cooperative Administration Service (ICASS).  OIG recommended that the ICASS council hold regular meetings to address administrative support issues and provide direction to the interagency working group.

The only issue in Human Resources was a need to analyze the current retirement coverage for LE Staff and recommend a supplemental Defined Contribution Fund or replace the local pension fund which was going bankrupt. There were no major findings for financial management.

Highlights:

There was not much to do in Asuncion.  We did stop in Buenos Aires overnight in route to Asuncion to connect to our flight.  John McCarthy and I went to a Tango club to enjoy some music and dancing.  I remember getting ripped off by the taxi driver who cheated me out of change showing me a 20 Peso when I had given him a 50.     

Grand Lopez Palace 

The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption

Downtown Asuncion