ANDE workers protest budget cuts in Paraguay

Employees of the National Electricity Administration (ANDE), represented by the Sitrande union, are protesting in front of the Ministry of Economy and Finance in Paraguay. The mobilization is a response to a proposed 11% budget reduction for 2027 in the General National Budget project.

Workers argue that the cuts will limit investments in electrical infrastructure and diminish the capacity to respond to service outages, particularly as summer approaches and electricity demand increases. The union also reported shortages of essential materials, tools, vehicles, and personnel. Additionally, protesters expressed concerns regarding the use of ANDE resources and Itaipú funds to finance government social programs, such as 'Hambre Cero', rather than reinvesting in transmission lines, transformers, and substations.