The National University of Asunción (UNA) in Paraguay suspended all in-person activity on Friday 16 October 2026 after an emailed threat of an armed attack. The university announced the preventive closure around midday local time, covering both classes and administrative work.
The closure matters to US readers because Americans study, work and travel in Asunción, and relatives abroad want clear information. No injuries or arrests have been reported, and the National Police said later on Friday that no explosive device was found on campus.
Key Facts
—Who. The National University of Asunción (UNA), a public university in Paraguay’s capital, with its students, teachers and staff.
—What. In-person academic and administrative activity suspended immediately as a precaution after an emailed threat of an armed attack.
—Where. UNA facilities in and around Asunción, the capital of Paraguay.
—When. Friday 16 October 2026, announced around midday local time.
—Status. No injuries or arrests reported; police say no explosive device was found; the authenticity of the threat is not confirmed.
—As of 16 October 2026, 19:00 GMT
What We Know
The UNA administration announced an immediate and preventive suspension of all in-person activity, academic and administrative. Students, teachers and staff were told not to come to campus.
Anyone already inside was asked to evacuate calmly. The university urged the public to follow only its official channels for information.
ABC Color and La Nación carried the university’s announcement at around midday local time. It used the words “de manera inmediata y preventiva”, meaning immediately and as a precaution.
Última Hora reported that the warning email arrived at about 2am and that an alarm was raised around 9am. It said activity was suspended in the morning, afternoon and evening shifts.
The three Paraguayan outlets therefore differ slightly on timing. Última Hora describes the early warning, while ABC Color and La Nación describe the public announcement.
La Nación reported that the email went to university leaders and other institutions. Its writer said he would go armed to one of the faculties and then target the Palace of Justice.
The Palace of Justice is the seat of Paraguay’s Supreme Court in Asunción. The reports we reviewed do not say whether security there has changed.
Última Hora adds that the email also mentioned arson. We are not publishing further details of the message.
The law faculty’s student centre, CEDUNA, advised students not to attend, and the nursing and obstetrics faculty, FENOB-UNA, evacuated. La Nación names Nicolás Granado as president of CEDUNA.
Campus security, the National Police and special units are inspecting the buildings. The UNA described the checks as orderly and thorough.
Última Hora says police and cybercrime units are analysing where the email came from. It reports that tracing the sender’s IP address, the numeric address of a device online, is planned.
ABC Color reported at 14:45 local time that Chief Superintendent Alexander Méndez said the police protocol was carried out and no explosive device was found. He said classes would stay suspended in the coming days and a tournament planned for Saturday was postponed.
The Supreme Court of Justice also received an email with threats against people and facilities at several institutions, including the Palace of Justice, ABC Color reported at 14:17. The court filed a complaint with the Public Prosecutor’s Office and tightened its security measures.
The UNA has so far limited its public statements to the suspension and the security checks. Further detail on the investigation would have to come from the university, the National Police or prosecutors.
Asunción is the national capital of Paraguay. Paraguay is a landlocked country in South America that borders Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia.
What Is Not Known
Authorities have not said who sent the email. They have also not said whether the threat is genuine.
The UNA has not said exactly when in-person activity will resume, beyond the coming days. Students and staff must wait for its official channels.
It is unclear how many other institutions received the same email. The reports we reviewed name only the UNA and the Supreme Court.
The motive is unknown, and we will not speculate about it. Investigators have not published any findings on the sender.
What It Means for Travelers and US Readers
Americans in Paraguay, including exchange students and visiting researchers, should expect UNA buildings to stay closed for the coming days unless the university says otherwise. The UNA has asked everyone to rely on its official announcements.
Parents and relatives in the United States can check the UNA’s official channels for the latest instructions. Students on programmes linked to the university can ask their programme coordinators for guidance.
None of the reports describe wider disruption in Asunción. They cover one university and its faculties.
Travellers can follow local news and their own embassy’s guidance, as they would for any developing local event. This report will be updated if the university or police publish new information.
Our other recent coverage from the country includes a femicide case involving a law student and the government’s raised growth forecast. The Paraguay hub collects all our reporting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the National University of Asunción?
The UNA suspended all in-person academic and administrative activity on Friday 16 October 2026 after an emailed threat of an armed attack. Students, teachers and staff were told not to come, and anyone on site was asked to evacuate calmly.
Is the threat confirmed as real?
Not yet. Authorities have not said whether the threat is genuine, although police found no explosive device on campus and cybercrime units are analysing the origin of the email.
Has anyone been hurt or arrested?
No injuries have been reported. No arrests have been announced as of 19:00 GMT.
Should US travellers change their plans?
The reports describe the closure of one university, not a wider emergency in Asunción. Travellers should follow local news and their own embassy’s guidance.
Sources
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief