Paraguay Tightens River Port Security, Cuts Cocaine Flow to Europe
Paraguayan authorities report a sharp drop in cocaine shipments from river ports to Europe after a coordinated intelligence and inter-agency effort, backed by regional and U.S. support.
Paraguay’s recent crackdown on river-port drug trafficking has yielded a dramatic decline in cocaine shipments bound for Europe, according to officials. The government attributes the turnaround to a multi-layered strategy that blends intelligence gathering, tighter inter-agency coordination and increased cooperation with neighbouring states and the United States. ## Intelligence-led operations curb riverine trafficking In May 2026, Jalil Rachid, who heads the National Anti-Drug Secretariat (SENAD), announced that no cocaine consignments were detected leaving Paraguayan river ports for Europe, a stark contrast to the roughly 32 metric tons intercepted in 2021 when the country served as a key transit hub. Interior Minister Enrique Riera highlighted that the decline stems from joint actions by SENAD, the National Police, the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the judiciary, which have collectively bolstered surveillance and investigative capacity along the nation’s main logistical arteries. Data compiled by InSight Crime show a parallel reduction in domestic seizures, with nearly one metric ton confiscated in 2025 versus 5.5 metric tons in 2024. While a large seizure in 2024 inflated the earlier figure, officials argue that the overall trend reflects tighter control over routes exploited by transnational criminal groups. ## Strengthened waterway monitoring underpins the plan A cornerstone of the anti-drug effort has been heightened monitoring of the Paraguay-Paraná Waterway, a vital commercial corridor that has historically been leveraged for smuggling cocaine and other illicit cargo. Enhanced patrols and interdiction measures have disrupted established smuggling patterns and improved the authorities’ ability to react swiftly to emerging threats. ## Regional and U.S. partnerships amplify results Paraguay’s progress is also linked to broader regional collaboration. The country participates in the Paraná Plan, a joint initiative aimed at securing the shared waterway against drug, arms and human trafficking. In June 2026, Paraguay assumed the pro-tempore presidency of the 37th Specialized Meeting of Drug Enforcement Authorities, convening MERCOSUR representatives to boost information exchange and joint operational capabilities. Support from the United States has further reinforced Paraguay’s riverine security. In April, U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) supplied eight SAFE 25 patrol boats and associated equipment to the Paraguayan Navy, expanding its capacity for river patrols, surveillance and interdiction. ## Experts caution against complacency Vanessa Cárdenas, a scholar at Chile’s Finis Terrae University, noted that the decline in shipments reflects a blend of tighter port controls, better intelligence and more effective coordination among SENAD, customs, prosecutors and international partners. She warned that criminal networks constantly adapt, exploiting legitimate trade channels and shifting tactics to evade detection. Sustained international cooperation, institutional strengthening and ongoing intelligence sharing, she said, are essential to lock in the gains. Paraguayan officials acknowledge that traffickers may seek alternative pathways as pressure mounts on existing routes. Maintaining the current trajectory will therefore require continued investment in intelligence, operational coordination and cross-border collaboration. Nonetheless, the near-zero detection of cocaine bound for Europe stands as a tangible indicator that the country’s security strategy is beginning to bear fruit, positioning Paraguay as an increasingly capable partner in the regional fight against organized crime.
