Asunción, Paraguay, Apr 5, 2017 / 18:43 pm
The Bishops of Paraguay made an urgent appeal for peace after hundreds of demonstrators set fire to the National Congress building in Asuncion on the night of March 31.
In a statement signed March 31, the Paraguayan Bishops' Conference urged that there "be no more wars between brothers! Let us always work for peace!"
The violent demonstrations in Asuncion occurred when a group of legislators approved a constitutional amendment which would allow the reelection of the President of Paraguay, Horacio Cartes.
In a surprise move, and holding the vote behind closed doors, 25 senators supported the controversial measure. The opposition has called the measure illegal, a coup d'état.