KEY POINTS
- Former President Lacalle Pou confirmed private investors are scouting locations for a Paraguayan port facility in Uruguay.
- The project aims to reduce Paraguay’s reliance on the Argentina-controlled waterway for its $16.7 billion export market.
- While endorsed by President Santiago Peña, the current Orsi administration has yet to clarify its official stance on the $300 million initiative.
Former Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou called for the establishment of a sovereign maritime outlet for Paraguay within Uruguayan territory during a business event in Santa Rita, Paraguay, on Tuesday. The proposal aims to provide the landlocked nation with direct access to the Atlantic Ocean, potentially bypassing logistical hurdles and diplomatic friction associated with the current regional waterway system.
Lacalle Pou, who served as president from 2020 to 2025, revealed that private investors are currently evaluating potential locations for a port facility. He emphasized that Uruguay is the natural gateway for Paraguayan trade, noting that such an arrangement would provide significant stability for Paraguayan exporters. According to a report by MercoPress, Paraguayan President Santiago Peña endorsed the sentiment at the same event, affirming that Uruguay remains the country’s primary outlet to the sea, though he did not provide specific operational details.
The project has concrete precedents, including a 2023 memorandum of understanding for a projected $300 million investment in the Soriano department of Uruguay. This plan was originally part of a broader initiative to grant Paraguay a sovereign presence on the Atlantic coast to access global markets. However, the report mentions that the administration of President Yamandú Orsi, which assumed office in March 2025, has not yet issued a public statement regarding the status or continuity of the proposal.
Paraguay currently relies on the Paraguay-Paraná Waterway for its international cargo, a situation that has led to recurring disputes with Argentina over navigation tolls and tariffs. With Paraguayan exports reaching $16.72 billion in 2025—driven by soybeans, beef, and electricity—the construction of a dedicated port in Uruguay would create a strategic logistical alternative and grant Asunción greater bargaining leverage within the Mercosur bloc.
Infrastructure Development and Regional Logistics Strategy
For international investors and logistics firms, the potential revival of a Paraguayan port in Uruguay represents a significant opportunity in regional infrastructure. Should the project move forward, it would likely catalyze development in the Soriano region and enhance Uruguay’s standing as the premier logistics hub for the Southern Cone. For the real estate sector, such a development typically drives demand for industrial land and specialized services. However, the current administration’s silence suggests that while the private sector and former leadership remain committed, the project’s immediate progress hinges on aligning the strategic priorities of the Orsi government with regional trade demands.
