As the Senate of Paraguay approved a constitutional reform bill, opponents protested by setting parts of the Congress on fire on Friday night, April 11. According to international news agencies, angry demonstrators stormed the Congress building, setting fire to offices of several senators who supported the constitutional change. Reports indicate the death of one protester and injuries to at least thirty others; three of the injured are reportedly members of Congress. Opponents are protesting a clause in the amended constitution that allows current President Horacio Cartes to remain in office for another term after 2018. They, supported by the leadership of the Paraguayan opposition, claim these constitutional changes amount to a 'coup.' Although reports from Paraguayan television indicate that the flames were extinguished by midnight and protesters were driven away, riot police remain on standby. Nevertheless, protests have spread to other cities in Paraguay. Opponents continue to demonstrate with the slogan 'No to the repetition of dictatorship' and have clashed with riot forces. The reference is to the 35-year rule of General Alfredo Stroessner, who came to power through a coup in 1954. Although Stroessner's regime ended in 1989, Paraguay has not yet escaped the shadow of his long dictatorship and has not achieved stability. In 1992, Paraguay adopted a new constitution that limited the presidency to a single five-year term. Horacio Cartes, who was a wealthy businessman and owner of dozens of successful companies and a football team before his presidency in mid-summer 2013, is a member of the ruling 'Colorado' party with right-wing views. Senator Rafael Filizzola, a member of the leftist Progressive Democratic Party, stated two days ago that the people of Paraguay must take to the streets to defend democracy and prevent the repetition of dictatorship. According to The Guardian, a recent poll shows that up to eighty percent of the people of Paraguay oppose constitutional changes that would allow the extension of Horacio Cartes' presidency.
Protesters Set Fire to Congress Building in Paraguay
Protests erupted in Paraguay after the Senate approved a constitutional reform allowing President Horacio Cartes to extend his term. Demonstrators set parts of the Congress on fire, leading to injuries and one death, as they claim the changes represent a coup. This situation highlights ongoing tensions regarding governance and democracy in Paraguay.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Protests erupted in Paraguay after the Senate approved a constitutional reform allowing President Horacio Cartes to extend his term. Demonstrators set parts of the Congress on fire, leading to injuries and one death, as they claim the changes represent a coup.
- One protester died and at least thirty others were injured during the protests.
- A recent poll indicates that up to eighty percent of Paraguayans oppose the constitutional changes.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Paraguay has a history of dictatorship, particularly under Alfredo Stroessner, and the 1992 constitution was designed to prevent such a recurrence by limiting presidential terms.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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