Dark clouds are gathering over the future of Rally Paraguay on the WRC calendar. The event, which successfully concluded its second edition in August 2026 with a victory by Sami Pajari, is now facing severe financial and political turbulence within its host nation.
The crisis was triggered by the collapse of Ueno Bank, the event’s main sponsor, which suffered serious financial difficulties leading to intervention by Paraguay's central bank. The fallout has transcended economics, igniting a political crisis with President Santiago Peña announcing his resignation on Thursday amidst mounting pressure linked to the banking collapse.
While his resignation has not yet been approved by the country’s Congress, Peña’s precarious political position poses a significant threat to the rally's stability. President Peña was instrumental in bringing Paraguay into the WRC fold starting in 2025, personally spearheading negotiations with championship promoters and securing corporate sponsorships.
Organising committee member Camilo Pérez admitted to deep concerns regarding the event's outlook. Speaking to radio station ABC Cardinal, Pérez noted, "I’ll be honest, I’m worried about the rally. Ueno has been the rally’s main sponsor every year, and we’ll have to look for a new sponsor for next year. We’re also still under contract."
Despite the uncertainty, Pérez remains hopeful that a new title sponsor can be secured. With the current agreement covering next year’s event, scheduled for October 2027, the organizers face a race against time to stabilize the event’s finances amidst the ongoing political instability.
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