2017 Paraguayan crisis

2017 Paraguay crisis
A constitutional amendment that would have allowed President of Paraguay Horacio Cartes to run for re-election led to the crisis
Date31 March 2017 – 26 April 2017
Location
Asunción, Paraguay
Caused bySigning of bill allowing presidential re-election
GoalsOverturn bill allowing presidential re-election
Resulted in
  • Bill allowing presidential re-election is overturned
  • President Horacio Cartes abandons any possible candidacy for a second presidential term
Parties
Lead figures
Casualties
Death(s)1
Injuries30+[citation needed]
Arrested211[1]

On 31 March 2017, a series of protests began in Paraguay, during which demonstrators set fire to the Congress building. The demonstrations occurred in response to a constitutional amendment that would permit President Horacio Cartes to run for re-election,[2] a move described by the opposition as "a coup".[3] One protester was killed in Paraguay's capital, Asunción, after being hit by a shotgun blast by police. Several protesters, politicians and journalists, as well as police, were reported injured, including one lower-house deputy who had to undergo surgery after being injured by rubber bullets.[4][5] On 17 April, President Cartes announced that he was resigning from any possible candidacy for a second presidential term. On 26 April, the Chamber of Deputies of Paraguay rejected the proposed constitutional amendment for presidential re-election.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference NTN24 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Romero, Simon (31 March 2017). "Protests Erupt in Paraguay Over Efforts to Extend President's Term". The New York Times. p. A9. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  3. ^ "'A coup has been carried out': Paraguay's congress set alight after vote to let president run again". The Guardian. London. 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  4. ^ "Paraguay congress set on fire amid presidential controversy". BBC News. 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  5. ^ Desantis, Daniela (1 April 2017). "A protester was killed in Paraguay after a secret Senate vote for a constitutional amendment". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 3 April 2017.