(ANS – El Chaco) – The isolation and abandonment in which state authorities have long since left the population of the Apostolic Vicariate of Chaco Paraguay, Paraguay, was strongly denounced by the Apostolic Vicar, Bishop Gabriel Narciso Escobar Ayala, SDB. The area in question is in the north of the country, near the border with Bolivia and Brazil. It has been raining non-stop for three days and the roads have been completely destroyed, leaving the population isolated.

"As a result of the lack of responsibility and commitment, we are isolated,” the Bishop said to a local radio. “National authorities are responsible for this situation, because they have to ensure that our people have access to the capital and are able to go to other cities without major problems in returning home".

A note sent to Fides Agency carries Bishop Escobar Ayala’s complaint against local politicians, who despite holding positions in the area, spend most of their time in the capital. "Puerto Casado, Carmelo Peralta or Bahia Negra are large districts of Upper Paraguay that are used as a launching pad for politicians to fill their pockets", said the Apostolic Vicar.

Bishop Escobar cited the problem of isolation experienced by the people due to the rains in an area where the roads are in terrible condition. Recently, the situation has been further complicated by a fault in the plane that transported goods and people, and has not been repaired yet, making it impossible to access the area. "This is why we are making an appeal to the national authorities in the capital. We are also Paraguayans", said the Bishop.

Published 29/05/2014