USA and Paraguay sign nuclear cooperation pact

The United States and Paraguay have signed a nuclear cooperation memorandum of understanding in Washington to enhance civilian nuclear capabilities. The agreement, often referred to as a "Section 123 agreement," focuses on the exploration and registration of Paraguay's potential uranium and rare earth mineral reserves.

Beyond resource exploration, the pact aims to facilitate the potential use of small modular reactors to supplement Paraguay's electricity supply, which currently relies heavily on hydroelectric power. Under the terms of the agreement, the United States will support Paraguay's technical capacities while maintaining the right to monitor nuclear materials to ensure they are used exclusively for peaceful purposes and not for military applications.

The memorandum was signed by Paraguayan Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during an official visit by Vice President Pedro Alliana. The cooperation aligns with international standards set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).