<p>The arrested citizens are suspected of belonging to a transnational network that launders assets in Paraguay and traffics cocaine to Europe and Africa.</p>
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ASUNCION (Reuters) - Paraguay’s Congress declared a national emergency on Thursday as forest fires raged, burning vast swaths of the Chaco dry forest, home to sprawling cattle ranches, jaguars and many indigenous tribes.
The emergency declaration boosts funds for fire-fighting and opens the door to requesting international aid to tame the blazes, which have sprouted up throughout the country.
Authorities said two firefighting aircraft had arrived in the country and would douse the most heavily impacted regions.
Regional neighbors Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil are also struggling to contain fires that threaten to reach historic levels amid drought and dry weather.