Weekly IntSum 4APR2017

US State Department officials have ordered official personnel to observe a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the Asuncion area of Paraguay due to unscheduled protest activity. These events seem to be occurring after dark. It is the strongest advice of Centurion ASG's Intelligence Division that all personnel within a 10 mile radius of Asuncion city limits observe the same curfew if at all possible. Due to the very nature of protests, "bad actors" ranging from petty criminals, to criminal anarchists, to terrorist organizations may be active during these events. Individuals in the affected area should monitor local conditions and be prepared to either self-extricate or shelter-in-place on very short notice.

Madrid, Spain has been a hotbed for numerous protests and demonstrations over the last several weeks and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future. Even the most peaceful of protests can rapidly devolve into violence and civil unrest. Extreme caution is advised. Further, some of the protests this analyst has seen in his source intelligence are of such a nature that many people, analyst included, may agree with. Part of the reason more details on specific protests are not mentioned in this case is to keep foreign nationals from becoming involved with the protest. As a foreigner, you may or may not have the same rights as you would in your home country. Further, due to the large crowds and public attention protests gather, they are an ideal target for terrorist organizations. Avoid protests of any kind if at all possible.

An uptick in robberies in the Bridgetown area of Barbados has been linked to what is believed to be 5 armed men operating a burgundy or red in color Kia. It is believed that the perpetrators are flashing their headlights behind a target vehicle to lure them to the roadside where the armed robbery then occurs. Readers are reminded to maintain positive situational and spatial awareness while operating a motor vehicle... that means pay attention to the GPS, pay attention to traffic signals and conditions, and put the phone down. Vehicle doors should remain locked at all times. Should you feel that another vehicle is following you, conduct a surveillance detection route immediately.

There has also been an uptick in violence aboard public transportation in Pernambuco, Brazil. These typically involve robberies targeting jewelry, watches, mobile phones, wallets, and purses. Use of public transportation should be avoided if possible. As always, maintaining positive situational awareness is a good start to reducing the likelihood of you being the victim of crime.

Widespread civil unrest is occurring in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Personnel should be prepared to shelter-in-place as many routes have been blocked by protesters. If at all possible, self-extrication should be considered.

-Prepared by: CASG Intelligence Analyst,  0714EST 4APR2017