The El Paraíso Verde Project:
Scientologist Leadership, Strict Visitor Policies, and Controversy in Paraguay

The El Paraíso Verde (Green Paradise) project in Paraguay has recently been in the spotlight due to concerns regarding its leadership, the strict visitor policies, and potential violations of local laws. This eco-village, located in the heart of Paraguay, was originally promoted as a sustainable living community, but it has now attracted attention for the role Scientology plays in its governance. Under the current administration, it has become increasingly difficult for outsiders to visit the settlement without express approval, and recent developments suggest that Scientology’s influence over the project is growing.

Scientologist Leadership and the Tightening of Control.
At the helm of the El Paraíso Verde project is a leadership group with former strong ties to Scientology. The project’s governing structure appears to be heavily influenced by principles and techniques associated with the Church of Scientology. Scientology, known for its secretive and often controversial practices, has a history of controlling the movement and limiting external access, both to protect its interests and to ensure that its members adhere to its doctrines.

The administration of El Paraíso Verde has followed suit by imposing a strict control over who can visit the settlement. Unlike traditional eco-villages that encourage openness and the exchange of ideas, this community operates with a closed-door policy. Visitors are not allowed without prior approval from the settlement’s management. This approval process, reportedly tied to the existing leadership’s assessment of the visitor’s alignment with the community’s values, has raised questions about the transparency of the project's operations.

Such measures—essentially limiting visitors’ access and filtering who can enter the community—are not just a logistical choice but seem to align with Scientology's broader social control techniques. Within Scientology, there is a long-standing practice of safeguarding the community from outside influences. The church often restricts public access to its internal operations, believing that outside scrutiny may disrupt its ideological cohesion or expose its members to negative influences.

Violations of Paraguayan Law?
In addition to the concerns surrounding its leadership and visitor policies, there are allegations that the El Paraíso Verde project may be violating Paraguayan law. Paraguay has certain legal requirements that govern land use, zoning, and the rights of residents and visitors to freely enter and leave private properties. Critics of the settlement argue that by restricting visitors and controlling access to the property, the leadership of El Paraíso Verde is breaking these laws, potentially infringing on the freedoms of both citizens and non-citizens.

The laws in Paraguay concerning land ownership and residency are clear: once someone owns land, they are generally entitled to have visitors, unless there are specific restrictions that comply with public safety or other legal concerns. The highly regulated and restrictive visitor policy at El Paraíso Verde, however, appears to exceed these legal bounds. The administration’s ability to block or approve visitors based solely on their alignment with Scientology's practices raises questions about whether the project’s activities are in full compliance with Paraguayan law.

Local residents and international observers have voiced concerns that such policies are undermining the legal and democratic freedoms of those living in and around El Paraíso Verde. If these practices are found to violate the legal rights of individuals, the project may face significant legal challenges in the future.

The Role of Scientologist Salespeople in Project Management.
One of the most recent developments in the El Paraíso Verde project has been the addition of a Scientologist salesperson to the management team. This individual’s role involves overseeing the promotion and expansion of the settlement, and there is growing suspicion that their appointment is part of a broader effort to integrate Scientology's commercial practices with the operation of the eco-community.

Scientology has long been known for its aggressive marketing tactics, including the use of high-pressure sales techniques to recruit members and secure financial donations. The involvement of a Scientologist salesperson in the management of El Paraíso Verde raises concerns that the project may be using these same methods to attract new settlers or investors, potentially prioritizing financial gain over community welfare.

This commercial approach also dovetails with Scientology's well-known practices of using its network to promote its agenda. By introducing a salesperson with strong ties to the church, the administration of El Paraíso Verde could be seeking to leverage both financial and ideological control over the development, creating an environment that prioritizes loyalty to the Scientology movement above all else.

The Scientology Technique of Control.
The tight visitor restrictions, the leadership structure, and the involvement of a Scientologist salesperson suggest that the El Paraíso Verde project may be operating as more than just a sustainable community. Rather, it appears to be a vehicle for advancing the interests of Scientology in the region. The church has historically used similar techniques in other ventures, establishing isolated communities where control over daily life and external interactions can be exercised.

Scientology’s practices include a range of techniques designed to influence and monitor its members, such as the use of "ethics" systems to ensure compliance with its teachings. These measures can extend to personal interactions and even visitor approvals, which might serve to prevent outsiders from gaining insight into the church’s inner workings. The policies at El Paraíso Verde echo these tactics, reinforcing the notion that the community is more of a Scientology outpost than a neutral, independent eco-village.

Conclusion
The El Paraíso Verde project in Paraguay is a complex and controversial development. While it may have initially been pitched as an environmentally friendly settlement, its current leadership and restrictive visitor policies suggest a deeper connection to Scientology. With increasing evidence of Scientology's influence, including the recent hiring of a Scientologist salesperson, there are growing concerns about the project's legal compliance and its potential role as a front for the church's interests.

As the situation continues to evolve, it will be important to watch how Paraguayan authorities respond to the legal and ethical issues surrounding El Paraíso Verde, particularly as questions about the project’s legality and transparency grow louder. Whether the settlement can maintain its eco-village facade or whether it will be exposed as a vehicle for Scientology's influence in Paraguay remains to be seen.