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RA Damián Javier Ríos Franco

Lawyer — Economic Infrastructure, Foreign Investment & Blockchain

Damián Javier Ríos Franco is a Paraguayan lawyer with an international profile, specialized in structuring economic infrastructure and projects for foreign investors in Paraguay. He combines a solid legal foundation with experience in public administration, binational energy institutions, and strategic consulting, and brings in-depth knowledge of blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and crypto mining. He works in five languages — Spanish and Guaraní as native tongues, advanced German, and upper-intermediate Portuguese and English — which lets him connect investors from different markets with real opportunities in the country. He currently serves as corporate lawyer for Paraguayan and Brazilian companies, trademark and intellectual property specialist with ten years of experience in Paraguay and Mercosur, legal advisor to the Chamber of Senators, investor in technology and cybersecurity startups, and counsel in international criminal and civil cases between Germany, Spain, and Paraguay.

Focus areas

  • Economic infrastructure & projects for foreign investors
  • Trademarks & intellectual property in Paraguay and Mercosur
  • Blockchain, cryptocurrencies & crypto mining
  • Contracts, company structuring & international litigation
  • Investment in technology and cybersecurity startups
  • Energy sector & binational institutions (Itaipú / Yacyretá)

Curriculum Vitae

  1. Present

    Corporate, trademarks, startups & international cases

    Full legal advisory for Paraguayan and Brazilian companies, trademark registration and defense in Paraguay and Mercosur (ten years of experience), investment in technology and cybersecurity startups, and representation in cross-border criminal and civil cases between Germany, Spain, and Paraguay.

  2. 2024-present

    Legal advisor in the Paraguayan Senate

    Legal and legislative advisory work for the ANR caucus, with institutional and public-sector experience.

  3. Master's degree

    Master's in Public Affairs and Governance

    Universidad Columbia del Paraguay; thesis defended with distinction (“Sobresaliente”), degree pending issuance.

  4. 2020

    Postgraduate studies in administrative law and corporate responsibility

    Postgraduate program in administrative law at the Universidad Nacional de Asunción, plus a diploma in corporate social responsibility from the Universidad de Salamanca and the UN Global Compact.

  5. 2019-2020

    Yacyretá Binational Entity — Social Coordination

    Coordination and direction of institutional programs at the Asunción office.

  6. 2018

    Specialization in governance and public administration

    Specialization in governance, political management, and public administration (580 hours) from CAF, The George Washington University, and Universidad Columbia, plus a leadership, volunteering, and social entrepreneurship program at the Histadrut Institute / MASHAV in Israel (180 hours).

  7. 2017

    Founded Instituto Pueblo

    Founder of Instituto Pueblo, a school of political leadership.

  8. 2016-2017

    Director of Culture, Municipality of Minga Guazú

    Leading teams and managing public programs.

  9. 2014-2019

    University teaching, Universidad Nacional del Este

    Teaching assistant in political economy, plus legal consulting and training in university outreach programs.

  10. 2014-2018

    International engagement & awards

    Vice president of Jóvenes Iberoamericanos (official Southern Cone member), Victory Award 2015 as “Emerging Leader” in Washington D.C. — granted to 20 leaders under 30 from Ibero-America and Europe — and the “Juventud Destacada” award in the humanities category in 2014.

  11. 2014

    Lawyer, Universidad Nacional del Este

    Law degree in Ciudad del Este, graduating on the class roll of honor.

  12. 2012

    Globalization and governance in the Ibero-American space

    Program at the Universidad Internacional Menéndez Pelayo in Madrid.

  13. 2007-2016

    Itaipú Technology Park & Agrosel consulting

    Advisor at Consultora Agrosel on economic and environmental projects and legal counsel for clients in the productive sector (2007–2016); management assistant at Parque Tecnológico Itaipú (2011–2012).

  14. Additional profile

    International presence and personal background

    Professional presence in Paraguay, Germany, Spain, Argentina, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Uruguay, Israel, and the United States. Reserve infantry second lieutenant with special operations training, active volunteer firefighter, and first-dan black belt in taekwondo.

Back to the team

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