Asunción, Agencia IP.- During the commemorative event held in Buenos Aires, the President of the Republic, Santiago Peña, condemned the cowardly attack on the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association (AIMA) that occurred three decades ago. Peña emphasized the importance of keeping the memory of the victims alive and condemning the intolerance and hatred that motivated the attack.
The attack on the AIMA was the most significant terrorist attack in Argentine history. It took place on July 18, 1994, when a car bomb struck the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association (AIMA), resulting in 85 deaths and 300 injuries.
Peña began his speech by saying, «Today, three decades after the cowardly, cruel, and perverse attack on the AIMA, I believe this beautiful Buenos Aires, a city so dear and that has generously welcomed many of my fellow citizens, was never the same,» he expressed.
Peña highlighted the importance of the commemorative event, stating, «We do not forget. We come to honor those who were taken from us by miserable hands, filled with hatred and violence.» He added that hatred, violence, and barbarism will not prevail over love, peace, and humanity.
The Paraguayan President emphasized the historical and solidarity relationship between Paraguay and the Jewish people. He highlighted Paraguay’s constant support for Israel, recalling that it was one of the first countries to designate Hezbollah and Hamas as international terrorist organizations. He celebrated the recent decision of Argentine President Javier Milei to designate Hamas as a terrorist organization and to introduce a bill to try fugitives from Argentine justice in absentia.
The President reiterated Paraguay’s commitment to the Jewish people and announced that Paraguay’s embassy in Israel will be relocated back to Jerusalem, reaffirming the country’s firm stance on the right side of history. «The cause of justice demands it, and that is why I have also announced that the Embassy of Paraguay in Israel will move back to Jerusalem,» he stated.
Finally, Peña called for remembrance and the fight against anti-Semitism. «May this act in commemoration of the cowardly attack on the AIMA be, therefore, a great act of purification of our memory. May it be a triumph of peace over violence, memory over forgetfulness, and above all, love over hatred,» he concluded.
The event, attended by various authorities and members of the Jewish community, was a reminder of the commitment of people to peace and justice, keeping alive the memory of those who were unjustly taken.
Bilateral meeting with Javier Milei
After the commemorative event, Peña met with Argentine President Javier Milei to address items on the bilateral agenda. According to Paraguayan Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez, issues such as the binational Yacyretá hydroelectric plant, the Paraguay-Paraná waterway situation, and security cooperation were discussed.
Regarding the waterway, Ramírez highlighted that the dialogue is advancing and mentioned that the entire situation was reviewed at the recent Mercosur summit in Asunción. «At the level of foreign ministers, with Diana Mondino, we have addressed this key issue; the final tariff still needs to be defined, which will depend on variables such as cargo tonnage and investments,» he commented.
Other agenda items included trade and border nodes, specifically the Falcón-Clorinda crossing, the Encarnación-Posadas bridge, and the opening of the Ituzaingó bridge within the Yacyretá project, which aims to improve border transit and flow. Additionally, the project for the construction of the bridge between Pilar and Puerto Cano was discussed in collaboration between the foreign and public works ministries.