Warden Message: Paraguay Protests March 26 & 27

Consular Affairs Bulletins

Americas - Paraguay
26 Mar 2008

Printer Friendly Email Article

U.S. Embassy Asunción issued the following Warden Message on March 26, 2008:

American citizens traveling or residing in Paraguay are advised that the Federacion Nacional Campesina will be holding the annual “Marcha Nacional del Campesino Probe” to protest the living conditions of campesinos in the interior of the country.  It is anticipated that on Wednesday March 26 Campesino organizations from around the country will gather at the Seminario Metropolitano, located near the Embassy at the corner of Avenida Kubitschek and 25 de Mayo.  The Campesino groups will hold various events at the Seminario Metropolitano throughout Wednesday.  On Thursday March 27, the Campesino organizations plan to march from the Seminario Metropolitano to the Congress building downtown starting at 0800 hours.  The planned route is as follows:

From the Seminario Metropolitano - Avenida Kubitschek to Eusebio Ayala; Eusebio Ayala to General Aquino; General Aquino to Azara; Azara to 14 de Mayo; and 14 de Mayo to the Congress building.  At 1000 hours a protest will be held in front of the Congress building.

At this time it is unknown how many individuals will participate in the march, but past participation has seen a large turn out. 

Please keep in mind that last year, this same march ended in violence erupting between protesters and Paraguayan National Police forces.  Americans are reminded that they should avoid large gatherings or protests, since such gatherings can quickly turn violent.  Americans should also avoid the Seminario Metropolitano for the remainder of the week.  Traffic in and around the anticipated march route, as well as near the Congress building, is expected to be congested during the morning of March 27.  Please plan accordingly.

Americans living or traveling in Paraguay are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy in Asuncion, Paraguay, through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov.

U.S. Embassy Asuncion contact information:
Tel: 011-595 21-213-715,
After hours 011-595 21-213-715 extension 2210
Fax: 595-21-228-603
Email: ParaguayConsular@state.gov Embassy website: www.asuncion.usembassy.gov

Consular Section hours of operation:
7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday
7:30 to 11:30 am on Friday
except U.S. and Paraguayan holidays

Updated information on travel in Paraguay may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States, or from overseas, 1-202-501-4444. For further information please consult the Country-Specific Information for Paraguay available via the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. Please also see the current Worldwide Caution.