Ok here is the thing,on december for Christmas I would like to go to Paraguay to meet my in laws so we will go with my wife and my two babies and I’d hear allot of stuff about the crime in Paraguay,even the web of the USA embassy in Asuncion have a block about the security and they talk about the assaults, kidnappings, robberies, and rapes and now I know if is a good idea to go to meet my in laws at least this year. I mean I’m not worried about me,I’m more concerned about my babies and wife.
I never been in Paraguay before so I don’t know what to think, and my wife is not going there for more than 10 years because She was leaving in Argentina with her parents before she move to USA,and she had been living in USA for 7 years so I can not ask her.
Do you think is true that is that danger or is all exageration.Please I will appreciate to receive help from the people that has been in Paraguay or live there.
Here is the info that the embassy give you about the crime:
SAFETY AND SECURITY: As stated in the Department of State’s latest Worldwide Caution, U.S. citizens overseas may be targeted by extremist groups and should maintain a high level of vigilance. The U.S. Embassy is not aware of any specific terrorist threat to Americans in Paraguay. 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. Small armed groups have also been reported to be operating in the San Pedro and Concepcion Departments. Drug trafficking remains a serious concern in the Department of Amambay. Because of concerns about the lack of security in border areas, 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 Pedro Juan Caballero. As a general precaution, the Embassy also counsels its employees traveling outside the capital to provide an itinerary including dates, contact names, and telephone numbers where the employee may be reached.
Since January 2007, there have been numerous kidnapping incidents mainly in the Alto Parana department. Targets have been members of the Paraguayan business community or their family members. It is believed that the individuals responsible for the kidnappings are financially motivated and have pre-selected their targets based on the victims’ wealth.
U.S. citizens should avoid large gatherings or any other event 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. Areas where such closures and barricades exist should be avoided. U.S. citizens who encounter demonstrations and/or roadblocks should not attempt to continue the planned travel or to confront those at the roadblock. Instead, they should avoid areas where individuals are demonstrating and in case of roadblock, wait for the road to reopen or return to the origin of their trip. Uniformed police often conduct roving checks of vehicles and passengers.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website at http://travel.state.gov where the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, as well as the Worldwide Caution, can be found.
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada, or for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.
CRIME: Crime has increased in recent years with criminals often targeting those thought to be wealthy. Although most crime is nonviolent, there has been an increase in the use of weapons and there have been incidents where extreme violence has been used. U.S. citizens have on occasion been the victims of assaults, kidnappings, robberies, and rapes. Local authorities frequently lack the training and resources to solve these cases. Under these circumstances, U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Paraguay should be aware of their surroundings and security at all times. They should take common sense precautions including refraining from displaying expensive-looking cameras and jewelry, large amounts of money, or other valuable items. Resistance to armed
Thanks blitzcrackunders.Do you live in Paraguay?
You are at risk of crime everywhere, even the US!
Some tips to stay safe:
When driving always keep your doors locked and your windows up. People might literally open your door and take your purse
Have your wife watch for suspicious people when taking money out of the ATM. Try to avoid ATMs at night.
Don’t wear expensive jewelry or watches. Think about leaving your wedding bands at home and get “substitute” bands for traveling.
Keep large amounts of money and important documents in a waist or neck band if you absolutely need to take them with you out of the house. Only access these while in the bathroom so that people don’t know you have them.
If you wear a backpack, get a kind that has double zippers so that you can lock the 2 zippers together to prevent pick-pockets.
Be extra careful at night, around bus/train/taxi stations, and in areas that you know are dangerous.
November 23rd, 2008 at 9:19 am
You are at risk of crime everywhere, even the US!
Some tips to stay safe:
When driving always keep your doors locked and your windows up. People might literally open your door and take your purse
Have your wife watch for suspicious people when taking money out of the ATM. Try to avoid ATMs at night.
Don’t wear expensive jewelry or watches. Think about leaving your wedding bands at home and get “substitute” bands for traveling.
Keep large amounts of money and important documents in a waist or neck band if you absolutely need to take them with you out of the house. Only access these while in the bathroom so that people don’t know you have them.
If you wear a backpack, get a kind that has double zippers so that you can lock the 2 zippers together to prevent pick-pockets.
Be extra careful at night, around bus/train/taxi stations, and in areas that you know are dangerous.
References :
November 23rd, 2008 at 9:53 am
Is Paraguay more dangerous than the average U.S. city? Yes. Is it like walking inside a high-security prison riot? No. The key words in the U.S. embassy posting are “common sense”.
References :
From the U.S. Live in Argentina. Have visited Paraguay.
November 23rd, 2008 at 10:41 am
I’ve never heard much about Paraguay… I doubt its dangerous. I’ve been in dangerous countries and dangerous Towns/hoods in the USA.
Im still alive, you’ll do fine.
References :