Paraguay: Campaign period for presidential elections starts Feb. 19

Event

The campaign period for the upcoming presidential elections officially started on Monday, February 19. Paraguayans nationwide will head to the polls to vote for a new president on Sunday, April 22. Current president Horacio Cartes, in power since August 2013, will not be eligible for reelection.

The ruling Partido Colorado is running former president of the Senate, Mario Abdo Benítez, as their candidate for president. The Partido Liberal Radical Auténtico, the main opposition party, selected Efraín Alegre, a former minister, as their candidate.

Political rallies could take place in the weeks ahead of the vote. Heightened security measures and traffic disruptions are anticipated around any political event. 

Advice

Individuals in Paraguay are advised to keep abreast of the situation and avoid all protests as a precaution, as well as polling stations on election day.