Travel Alert Status
Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Safety and Security
The U.S. Embassy is not aware of any specific terrorist threat to U.S. citizens in Paraguay. Nevertheless, you should remain vigilant at all times while travelling; U.S. citizens overseas may be targeted by extremist groups regardless of the country they are in. Individuals and organizations providing financial support to extremist groups operate in Ciudad del Este and along the tri-border area between Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina. A small armed anti-government militant group known as the Ejercito del Pueblo Paraguayo (EPP) operates in the northern San Pedro and southern Concepcion Departments. Drug trafficking and associated violence remains a serious concern in Amambay Department. Because of concerns about the lack of security in border areas and certain departments, the U.S. Embassy in Asuncion requires U.S. government personnel and their family members to provide advance notice and a travel itinerary when traveling to Ciudad del Este, or to the San Pedro, Concepcion, Amambay, and Canindeyu Departments. As a general precaution, the Embassy also requests its employees to provide an itinerary and contact information whenever they travel outside the capital.
Over the past several years, there have been several high-profile kidnappings in the interior of the country – particularly in the Department of Concepcion. Members of the Paraguayan business community and their family members have been targeted. It is generally believed that the individuals responsible for the kidnappings are financially motivated and have selected their targets based on the victims’ wealth and perceived willingness to pay ransom.
Avoid large gatherings or other events where crowds have congregated to demonstrate or protest. Such activities have resulted in intermittent road closures including major routes traveled by tourists and residents. While generally nonviolent, demonstrations and/or roadblocks have turned violent in the past. If you encounter demonstrations and/or roadblocks, do not attempt to continue your travel and do not confront the crowd. Instead, turn around and find a different route or wait for the road to reopen.
Uniformed police often conduct roving checks of vehicles and passengers. All lawful police instructions should be adhered to.