Today, all of Paraguay is celebrating and rejoicing its 201-year
old independence from Spain. The Spanish arrived in the 1500’s
and stayed for nearly 300 years as it colonized the region,
converted natives to Christianity and enslaved native Indian
populations. Paraguay gained independence from Spain in 1811 but
not before becoming the primary site of Jesuit missions and
settlements. Ecuador is home to an estimated 6.5 million people,
the majority of which are Catholic. After surviving several
financial and political corruption scandals in the ‘90s the
country continues to try to move away from an informal economy
and have a more transparent government. President Obama and
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sent the following
congratulatory message to the People of Paraguay: On behalf of
President Obama and the people of the United States, I am
delighted to send best wishes to all Paraguayans as you
celebrate the anniversary of your independence this May 15.
Paraguay and the United States are united by our co