School meals to be suspended in Paraguay due to teachers' strike

A teachers' strike in Paraguay has led to the suspension of the Hambre Cero state school meals program in several departments, including San Pedro, Asunción, Central, and Presidente Hayes, starting Monday, November 9, 2026. The decision was made to preserve public funds and prevent food spoilage while students are at home due to the strike. Unions, including the Federation of Paraguayan Educators and the National Union of Educators, are demanding state guarantees regarding public and pension funds linked to Ueno Bank, increased education funding in the 2027 national budget, and the return of significant funds to pension and social security institutes. Union leaders are scheduled to meet with President Pedro Alliana on November 9, with classes tentatively expected to resume on November 10.