The government of Paraguay, suspended from Mercosur and Unasur, announced on Monday that it has appealed to the World Trade Organization (WTO) following complaints from Paraguayan businessmen about trade barriers applied by Argentina.

Paraguay's Foreign Minister José Félix Fernández Estigarribia said at a press conference that the government has requested assistance from the WTO in response to allegations of excessive tariffs and the opening of containers of Paraguayan products in Argentine ports.

"We will certainly make a statement. We need to know what the violations of the agreements were, which will be decided between today and tomorrow. First we will make a statement and also a note of protest," said the foreign minister.

Fernández Estigarribia said that businessmen from his country have denounced that in recent weeks containers of Paraguayan merchandise have been opened at Argentine customs and that “excessive charges have been made that do not correspond to the agreements.” EFE.