Wayzata World Factbook 1995/World Factbook - 1995 Edition - Wayzata Technology (1995).iso/mac/text/Build/tvltxt/PARAGUAY.TVL

Text File | 1994-12-07 | 5KB | 88 lines

Paraguay - Consular Information Sheet
September 2, 1994

Country Description:  Paraguay is a medium income nation with a developing
economy.  Tourist facilities are good in Asuncion, 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 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:
[phone] or the nearest 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's international travelers' hotline at [phone].

Crime Information:  Armed robberies, car thefts, and burglaries have
increased significantly.  Street crime to include 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.

Adoptions:  Due to serious problems in the international adoption process in
Paraguay, including chronic unpredictability in the issuance of final
decrees and uncertainty over case processing and prospects for proposed
adoption regulations, the U.S. Embassy strongly urges prospective adopting
parents to postpone any commitment to a Paraguayan prospective child until
such time as the situation at juvenile court is clarified.  Some adoptions
have been put on hold pending court investigations of local lawyers,
notaries and government officials responsible for documentation of birth and
abandonment.  American citizens who have secured court dates with the judge
handling their international adoption petition, should be aware that
prospective parents' stay in Asuncion is often a prolonged one.  The
consular officer is not authorized to act as agents of behalf of U.S.
citizens seeking to adopt Paraguayan children.  Updated information on
Paraguayan adoption proceedings and U.S. immigrant visa requirements is
available from the consular section of the U.S. Embassy.  Additional
information is available by writing the Office of Citizens Consular
Services, CA/OCS/CCS, Room 4817, Department of State, Washington, D.C.
20520, or by telephoning [phone].

Civil Aviation Oversight:  In March 1992, the U.S. Federal Aviation
Administration assessed Paraguay's civil aviation authority as not in
compliance with international aviation safety oversight standards for
Paraguay's carriers operating to and from the U.S.  Typically, the same
level of safety oversight is applied to operations to other destinations.
For further information, travelers may contact the Department of
Transportation at 1-800-322-7873.

Embassy Location/Registration:  Americans who register with the Consular
Section of the U.S. Embassy in Asuncion at 1776 Mariscal Lopez Avenue,
telephone:  [phone], may obtain updated information on travel
and security within Paraguay.

No. 94-211

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated May 20, 1994  to add
information on aviation oversight.