In any civilized society, preventing the normal functioning of institutions and free circulation is a crime that, according to each legislation, acquires different levels of seriousness. In Paraguay, although this qualification exists, it is automatically repealed by the custom established since 1989 of submitting to prior protocols any street riot with the occupation of public spaces or disruption of the free movement of people and goods.
Although the Penal Code provides for it, the judge issues the order and the prosecutor sets out to enforce it, jurisprudence has been established with the adoption of “action protocols” that the police forces must implement before clearing a route, releasing a square or vacate an invaded property. First you have to lobby the rebels, negotiate some exchange good and, finally, beg the rioters to drop their attitude. The time that all this takes the executors of the protocol don’t give a damn. In the ambulance a patient can die, in the refrigerated truck its contents can rot, the employee arrives late for work and the feed transporter leaves the chicks of ten poultry establishments without food. None of that matters. The main thing is that the roadblocks, the squatters or the usurpers of other people’s property are satisfied in their demands even if it takes days or weeks to reach the “agreement”. Judges, prosecutors and police are not concerned about the millions that are lost every minute for each immobilization of people and vehicles in ruinous waits. They only care about being politically correct and serving as butlers to the rebels in the streets.
The triggers for cuts and occupations of public spaces are infinite: demand a reduction in fuel, food, help from binational companies, the replacement of a public employee, that houses be built for them, etc. One of the most sensational protests, including a roadblock, was carried out last July by indigenous people who demanded the immediate resignation of all the authorities of the three branches of the State. It would have been useless to explain to the protesters that the only way that the constitution provides for changing authorities is through democratic elections. It would be as useless as talking to a wall.
Facets of a kidnapped Republic.
