Whereas 2024 marks 163 years of official bilateral relations between the United States and the Republic of Paraguay; Whereas the shared values of democracy and the rule of law have always underpinned the bilateral relationship starting with the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation of 1859, done at Washington March 12, 1860; Whereas the United States and Paraguay have enjoyed an especially strong partnership since Paraguay’s transition to a democratically elected civilian government in 1989; Whereas the United States and Paraguay have enjoyed bilateral economic cooperation, especially under the United States-Paraguay Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, done at Washington January 13, 2017; Whereas the Parana River accounts for 80 percent of Paraguay’s trade and is a lifeline to many communities; Whereas the United States Senate appreciates mutual collaboration with Paraguay across many sectors, including supporting United States businesses operating in Paraguay and $2,400,000,000 in trade in goods; Whereas the United States is the second largest foreign investor in Paraguay, with hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign direct investment in Paraguay; Whereas the United States has strongly supported and will continue to support democratic institutions, the rule of law, and economic opportunity in Paraguay, including working collaboratively to tackle corruption and support indigenous peoples, afro-descendants, and youth in Paraguay; Whereas the Governments of Paraguay and the United States have effectively partnered to address shared priorities across the hemisphere, including countering human trafficking, narcotics trafficking, money-laundering, and other illicit cross-border activities, as well as increasing cooperation in security and defense, cybersecurity, and promoting exchange programs; Whereas Paraguay and the United States are aligned on key foreign policy priorities beyond the hemisphere