Paraguay: Agricultural workers to stage major protests in central region March 20-21

Agricultural workers affiliated with the National Peasant Federation (Federacion Nacional Campesina, FNC) will hold protests in central Paraguay March 20-21. Demonstrators will gather in San Estanislao de Kostka, San Pedro Department, as well as Colonel Oviedo, Caaguazu Department, early March 20; they will then begin moving in vehicle convoys from both locations to Asuncion, the capital, at 06:00. Organizers expect the convoys to arrive at Asuncion's Parque Seminario, located on Avenida Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveria, at approximately 10:00-11:00. Additional demonstrators will gather at Parque Seminario at 14:30, with events held at the location throughout the day; protesters are likely to camp in the area at night.

At 08:00 March 21, demonstrators will march from Parque Seminario along Avenida Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveria, Avenida Eusebio Ayala, Calle General Elizardo Aquino, Calle Felix de Araza, and Calle Chile to the Plaza de Armas, where they will hold a demonstration beginning 10:30.

The protests are likely to cause significant transport delays throughout central Paraguay; National Route 2 and National Route 3, which connect Asuncion with Colonel Oviedo and San Estanislao de Kostka, respectively, are especially likely to see major disruptions March 20. Transport to and from the Silvio Pettirossi International Airport (ASU) may be affected. Major transport and business disruptions are likely throughout Asuncion March 21, and police are likely to heavily deploy throughout the city, possibly closing roads in an effort to contain the protests. Clashes between police and demonstrators are possible, especially if authorities attempt to forcibly disperse protests.