Protesters were captured smashing in windows of the congress building in Asuncion on Friday night and setting fire to the building. The country’s 1992 set up, introduced after almost 35 years of dictatorship, strictly limits the president to a single five-year term. But sitting President “Horactio Cartes” is likely to remove the restriction and run for re-election. Hence Protesters stormed the legislature.
Protestors set fire to Paraguay Congress
The officials said- protesters were stealing things and causing damage to the offices of those who backed the bill. Police used units, rubber bullets as well as water cannons to scatter the crowd. Media reports said- dozens of people had been injured, including protesters, politicians and police officers.
One of a journalist in Asuncion told- “the Congress building was on fire for more than 3 hours. There was a war between people and the police in the streets, it was the huge violence of its kind since Paraguay became a democracy in 1992.”
Post on Twitter, President Cartes appealed for peace. “Democracy is not defended with violence and you can be sure this government will continue to put its best effort into maintaining order in the republic,” he said (in Spanish). Later, The general’s office said it had followed the events closely and was investigating the violence. Earlier, the crowd took to the streets following a private meeting of 25 members – a small majority of the house which approved a bill to modify the constitution. The bill must also be approved by the other house of parliament – the chamber of deputies where President ‘Cartes‘ party holds a majority.
The chamber’s president announced that the sitting planned for the morning shall be cancelled and therefore no decision will be made on Saturday. Opposition member said- “Takeover has been carried out, We will resist and we invite the people with us.”
Hence, Paraguay was controlled by military General Alfredo, who seized power in a coup until 1989. The constitution in 1992 given birth to the modern government but there has been political instability as well as a failed coup attempt. President ‘Cartes’ term is due to end in 2018.
If changes will be approved, it will also allow former president Fernando to run again. Mr Lugo was ousted in 2012 over his handling of a land eviction in which 17 people were killed. His supporters somehow would like to see him run again.
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