Former Vice Minister of Mines and Energy Mercedes Canese harshly criticized the Peña government’s Itaipu negotiation stance, calling the idea of Paraguay importing Brazilian surplus energy an “absurd joke.” She argued Brazil has never had real surpluses and cannot produce cheaper energy than Itaipu. Canese warned Paraguay’s own surplus will run out by 2030 (not eight years as officials claim), due to inaction on the 2021 ANDE Master Plan. She accused the government of subsidizing crypto miners with below-cost tariffs, causing nearly US$400 million losses to ANDE last year through opaque “social expenses.” Canese demanded market prices for exports or a firm Brazilian commitment to reciprocal supply at historical rates, rescinding illegal crypto contracts, and investing savings in new generation. She linked concessions to geopolitical alignments and urged public mobilization.