Paraguay Accepts Invitation to International Peace Council

Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez Lezcano has announced that Paraguay’s conservative President Santiago Peña has accepted an invitation from former President Donald Trump to join the International Peace Council.

According to Paraguay TV, Ramírez Lezcano confirmed the invitation extended by Trump to President Peña.

The Peace Commission is an initiative proposed by Trump, encouraging countries to participate in efforts aimed at conflict resolution. Recently, Trump announced plans that would require nations seeking permanent membership to contribute $1 billion for a three-year term. This funding is intended for rebuilding efforts in Gaza.

Ramírez Lezcano emphasized that joining this initiative does not entail any mandatory financial obligations, referring specifically to the $1 billion membership fee mentioned by Trump.

He stated, “Although the documents related to this organization mention the figure of $1 billion, this amount is not a requirement for member states. It pertains to particular aspects of participation in the organization.”

“The U.S. government clearly recognizes our economic situation, and such a contribution is not feasible for Paraguay,” he added.

In comments made to a local radio station, he noted that the invitation to join the peace commission serves as a recognition of Paraguay’s role in fostering dialogue and provides a chance to enhance the country’s profile on the international stage.

Ramírez Lezcano remarked, “I think this is a significant opportunity for Paraguay to engage in this dialogue mechanism,” highlighting that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is already discussing the Council’s proposal with the U.S. State Department.

He mentioned, “Our team is in contact with the U.S. State Department to clarify these elements further, so we can provide more details once President Santiago Peña decides to participate.”

Over the last year, President Peña, a dedicated conservative, has become one of Trump’s most notable allies in the region. He was the only Latin American leader invited by Trump to the historical Middle East Peace Summit scheduled for October 2025 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

In December, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Paraguayan Foreign Minister Ramírez Lezcano signed a significant Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), allowing U.S. military and Department of the Army personnel to operate in Paraguay.

This occasion also acknowledged the joint efforts of both nations against cross-border crime and drug trafficking, with agreements in place for ongoing collaboration in the future.

During the signing ceremony, Rubio described Paraguay as one of the United States’ key allies worldwide and in the region, emphasizing a commitment to exploring collaborative opportunities that extend beyond security concerns.