Paraguay: Ongoing campesino protests in Asunción August 3

Event

On Thursday, August 3, groups representing rural inhabitants (campesinos) continued protesting in the capital city of Asunción. The campesinos had temporarily halted their protests, after a wave of violence in the third week of July. The first protests began on July 11. Clashes between protesters and police are possible, particularly if protesters erect roadblocks. Expect localized traffic disruptions.

The campesinos have stated that they will continue to hold protests in the capital until the government addresses their demands. Further protests are therefore likely in the coming weeks.

Context

On the evening of July 10, a large caravan of campesinos arrived in the capital from across the country and set up camp in the central Plaza de Armas; formal protests began on July 11. The campesinos are demanding that the government declare an agricultural state of emergency and provide assistance to rural farmers. Similar protests took place in April 2016 and lasted for 23 days until leaders of the protesters signed an agreement with the government to refinance debt owed by the campesinos.

Advice

Individuals in Asunción, and Paraguay more generally, are advised to avoid all protests as a precaution and to never attempt to cross a roadblock without authorization.