The Documentary Podcast Why a South Korean church bought a village in Paraguay
Aug 2, 2025
Ronald Avila Claudio, a BBC Mundo journalist, reveals the complexities of Puerto Casado, a village in Paraguay bought by the Unification Church. He discusses the contentious land dispute between the church, local residents, and the Paraguayan state. The episode highlights the village's historical struggles, the oppressive control of landowners, and the protests against displacement. Avila Claudio captures the community's fight for stability amid uncertainty and migration, shedding light on a unique and troubling aspect of rural life.
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Founding of Puerto Casado
- Puerto Casado was founded around a tannery factory by Carlos Casado in the 1880s.
- The company controlled many aspects of life, including housing, stores, and residents' movement.
Generational Residents without Ownership
- Locals have lived in Puerto Casado for generations without owning land or homes.
- This is due to a 25-year-old sale involving the Paraguayan government and an Argentinian company.
Industrial Decline Ends Jobs
- The tannin factory's bankruptcy in the 1990s ended local employment.
- Synthetic materials caused a decline in the global tannin industry, forcing factory closure.