MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Paraguay declared a state of emergency

Paraguay on Monday declared a state of emergency suspending some constitutional guarantees in response to coordinated demonstrations by farmers demanding the resignation of President Luis Gonzalez Macchi.

Interior Minister Victor Hermoza said the measure would last five days while authorities arrest leaders of the movement, which officials say is linked to exiled former coup-plotter Lino Oviedo.

Paraguay's previous state of emergency - lasting 30 days - was declared following the coup attempt of May 18, 2000 by soldiers and civilians who took control of two military units and one police headquarters.

That coup attempt led to the arrest and prosecution of more than 100 civilians, retired and active military personnel and pro-Oviedo politicians.

Paraguay has unsuccessfully sought the extradition from Brazil of Oviedo, who was accused of plotting the assassination of Vice President Luis Argaña in March 1999. Previously, the erstwhile chief of the armed forces was convicted of planning to overthrow former President Juan Carlos Wasmosy.

Prior to announcing the so-called "state of exception," the government said the army would be called in to back police efforts to maintain peace.

On Monday, Paraguay awoke to blocked roads and protest marches in several parts of the country by peasants allegedly spurred on by the liberal opposition and Oviedo, officials said.

The protest turned violent in Ciudad del Este, some 320 kilometers (199 miles) east of Asuncion, where police clashed with demonstrators trying to block the Friendship Bridge linking Paraguay and Brazil. At least two demonstrators were reportedly shot. Opposition leaders say the protests are "a spontaneous demonstration of popular dissatisfaction" with Gonzalez Macchi, while administration officials continue to warn of an orchestrated campaign to destabilize the government.