From: owner-travel-advisories Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Paraguay Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Fri, 27 Feb 1998 14:35:14 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:1628 Path: world!bzs Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Message-ID: <199802270939_MC2-34EB-C5F1@compuserve.com> Content-Disposition: inline Precedence: bulk Sender: "U.S. Department of State" <76702.1202@compuserve.com> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Mime-Version: 1.0 Distribution: wstd Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 134 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Paraguay ============================================================ Paraguay - Public Announcement February 26, 1998 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman A major prison break took place today, February 26, at Emboscada prison in Limpio, Paraguay, approximately 50 kilometers northeast of Asuncion. Approximately 106 criminals, some of whom have committed serious felonies, are reportedly at large. Paraguayan police are currently engaged in a major effort to apprehend the escapees. U.S. citizens should exercise caution in encounters with strangers and avoid hitchhikers, especially in the area of the Emboscada prison. For further information on travel to Paraguay, please consult the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet on Paraguay, dated July 2, 1997. This Public Announcement expires March 5, 1998. Paraguay - Consular Information Sheet July 2, 1997 Country Description: Paraguay is a middle-income nation with a developing economy. Tourist facilities are good in Asuncion, the capital, poor in major cities, and almost nonexistent in remote areas. Entry Requirements: A passport is required. U.S. citizens do not need a visa for a three-month stay. Minors (under 20) traveling alone, with one parent or with a third party must present written authorization from the absent parent(s) or legal guardian, specifically granting permission to travel alone, with one parent or with a third party. This authorization must be notarized, authenticated by the Paraguayan Embassy or a Paraguayan consulate, and translated into Spanish. For current information concerning entry and customs requirements for Paraguay, travelers can contact the Paraguayan Embassy at 2400 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, tel. (202) 483-6960 or the nearest Paraguayan consulate in Los Angeles, Miami or New York. Medical Facilities: Facilities for medical care are limited. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. The Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide for payment of medical services outside the United States. In some cases, medical insurance with specific overseas and medical evacuation coverage has proved to be useful. For additional health information, travelers can contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline at (404) 332-4559; Internet: http://www.cdc.gov. Crime Information: Armed robberies, car thefts, and burglaries have increased significantly. Street crime, including pickpocketing and muggings, is prevalent in the cities, particularly during the evening hours in the vicinity of hotels and airports. There have been incidents of pilferage from checked airline baggage. Travelers have found it prudent to put valuables in their carry-on luggage. The loss or theft of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Useful information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad," which is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Also available from the same address is the Department of State publication "Tips for Travelers to Central and South America." Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. Penalties in Paraguay for possession, use and trafficking in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and fines. Traffic Safety and Road Conditions: Driving in Paraguay presents special hazards. Only minimal standards must be met to obtain a Paraguayan driver's license, and few drivers receive driver education courses prior to licensing. Drivers throughout Paraguay routinely ignore traffic regulations; all visitors who drive in Paraguay should be prepared to drive defensively. Some roads within Asuncion and other larger cities are paved with asphalt. However, most urban streets are paved with rough cobblestone. There are two main roads leading from Asuncion which are acceptably maintained. One leads east to Ciudad del Este and the Brazilian border; the other south to Encarnacion and Argentina. Elsewhere, roads are generally unpaved, and during rainy periods may be impassable. Driving at night is not advisable outside of Asuncion as animals or vehicles without proper lights are often on the roads. Road signs indicating hazards, such as sharp curves or major intersections, are lacking in many areas. Aviation Oversight: As the result of an assessment conducted by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in March 1993, the FAA has found the government of Paraguay's civil aviation authority not to be in compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Paraguay's air carrier operations. Operations to the U.S. by Paraguay's air carriers are not permitted unless they arrange to have their flights conducted by a carrier from a country meeting international aviation safety standards. Based on the FAA's determination, the Department of Defense does not permit U.S. military personnel to use carriers from Paraguay for official business except in extenuating circumstances. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation at 1-800-322-7873. Embassy Location/Registration: Americans are encouraged to register and to obtain updated security and travel information at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Asuncion at 1776 Mariscal Lopez Avenue, tel. (011-595-21) 213-715. No. 97-111 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated September 2, 1994 to update information on traffic safety and road conditions, aviation oversight, and to remove the segment on adoption. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- The "travel-advisories@stolaf.edu" mailing list is the official Internet and BITNET distribution point for the U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets. 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