| 2021 Paraguayan protests ("#EstoyParaElMarzoParaguayo2021") | |
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| Part ofProtests over responses to the COVID-19 pandemic | |
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| Date | March 5, 2021 – March 26, 2021 |
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| Methods | Demonstrations |
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| Deaths and injuries | |
| Death | 1 |
| Injuries | 20[1] |
The2021 Paraguayan protests were a series of mass protests and violent demonstrations against the government's response to theCOVID-19 pandemic inParaguay during March 2021, calling for the resignation ofMario Abdo Benítez and his entire cabinet. The demonstrations left hundreds injured and many critically wounded after citizen protests andlooting across the country. It resulted in the resignation of health ministerJulio Mazzoleni.[2][3]
Paraguay has a history of protests, with the2017 Paraguayan crisis, the 2012 protests over theimpeachment of Fernando Lugo, the 1999Marzo paraguayo unrest and the 1986 protests. The political crisis is the worst since the 2017 protests. Gunshots were heard during the protests as protesters formed roadblocks and ignited barricades in the country. The government hasn't faced this kind of protests at all, refusing to resign and cracking down on protests harshly.[4]
The protests began on 5 March after protesters stagedCacerolazo inAsuncion, then turning out to protest the turmoil and calling for the political government to step down. Fires and smoke arose acrossAsuncion as city-wide protests turned into widespread violence and rioting.[5]
Protesters chanted slogans against the government and marched with pots despiterubber bullets,tear gas,live ammunition andwater cannons fired at protesters by the attackingRiot police, being the most violent protests since the2017 Paraguayan crisis.[6]
Hundreds threw stones and set fires across the country as well, but in smaller magnitude. Anger over the response led to calls for the government to resign amid violent riots and clashes with the security forces, loyal toMario Abdo Benitez.[7]
As protests and popular demonstrations escalated the next day, police presence became heightened and small scuffles with protesters resulted in the rallies being quelled with hundreds injured. Protesters repeatedly marched in organised rallies peacefully in red-colourful shirts the next day, and participating inCacerolazo across the capital and country.[8]
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