Paraguay acknowledges $300 million debt to PDVSA

Paraguayan Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez Lezcano has acknowledged a debt of approximately US$ 300 million owed to Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA) for crude oil purchases. However, the minister noted a discrepancy between the amount claimed by the Venezuelan administration and the records held by the state company Petropar.

This dispute regarding interest calculations has been referred to the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris for resolution. Ramírez Lezcano stated that the difference stems from interest rates applied outside the existing commercial agreement.

In a move toward normalizing ties, Paraguayan President Santiago Peña is scheduled to meet with Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodríguez in Caracas on September 19. The meeting aims to initiate a dialogue for the restoration of bilateral diplomatic and consular relations, with an agenda covering institutional processes, economic strengthening, and the fight against transnational organized crime.