In a diplomatically charged visit, King Felipe VI of Spain opened the new headquarters of his country’s embassy in Paraguay, a ceremony tied to President Santiago Peña’s inauguration week. The royal event underscored the strengthening of Spain-Paraguay ties amid a pivotal political moment in the South American nation.
Shortly after 11:30 am local time (3:30 pm GMT), the monarch arrived at the Peris Palace, a historic building dating back to 1920 that began a careful restoration in 2018 to become the home of the Spanish diplomatic mission. The moment marked more than a simple opening; it signified a renewed Spanish presence in the heart of Asunción and a continuation of a long-standing cultural and diplomatic exchange between the two countries.
Inside, Felipe VI greeted a group of attendees from the Spanish community, then joined the Paraguayan authorities and the Spanish ambassador, Carmen Castiella Ruiz de Velasco, to inaugurate the renovated premises. The king later addressed guests, noting that the commissioning of the new headquarters carried special significance given Paraguay’s recent change in government and the broader regional landscape. The speech highlighted collaboration, mutual respect, and shared values as the foundation for future cooperation.
Architecturally, the Peris Palace stands out for its Italian neoclassical design, built between 1919 and 1920 by Spanish siblings José and Cristóbal Peris, after whom the building is named. Its dignified façade and timeless interior reflect a era when institutional architecture carried a message of stability and permanence—qualities that align with the diplomatic mission housed within. The Peris brothers also constructed another landmark, the Mburuvicha Róga palace, which has served as the official residence of Paraguay’s presidents, linking the two sites through a thread of historical construction that has shaped national governance for generations.
News of the visit came as Felipe VI arrived in Paraguay a day earlier to participate in Peña’s inauguration as president and to reaffirm Spain’s intent to foster closer ties with Paraguay. The king’s departure from Madrid was made via the Spanish Air Force aircraft, which landed at Silvio Pettirossi International Airport in Luque, near Asunción. During the stay, he also engaged with the then-president Mario Abdo Benítez, underscoring continued bilateral dialogue and collaboration on matters of trade, culture, and regional security.
The sequence of events culminated on Tuesday with actions and investments tied to the embassy project, beginning early in the morning local time (11:00 GMT). The inauguration was more than a venue opening; it was a signal of ongoing friendship and shared interests that span political, economic, and cultural domains. After the ceremony, the Spanish delegation and Paraguayan counterparts discussed future projects designed to deepen collaboration, including educational exchanges, cultural programs, and potential cooperation on sustainable development initiatives. The visit in totality reinforced a narrative of mutual benefit and enduring partnership that both nations, and their peoples, can pursue together for years to come.