Removal of Paraguay's President Lugo Draws Protest

Former Bishop Fernando Lugo, 56, achieved victory for his left-center coalition, the Patriotic Alliance for Change, against the ruling Colorado Party in Paraguay., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

23 June 2012
Last updated at 19:40 ET

Removal of Paraguay's President Lugo draws strong reactions

The impeachment sparked clashes between police on horeseback and supporters of Mr Lugo

Governments in Latin America have reacted angrily to the impeachment of Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo in the wake of a land dispute scandal.

The move has drawn criticism from the presidents of Ecuador, Venezuela and Argentina, among others.

But Federico Franco, who replaced Mr Lugo as president, denied that Mr Lugo's removal from office was a coup.

In his first news conference, Mr Franco said there had been no break with democracy.

A 39-4 vote in the Senate on Friday saw Mr Lugo impeached, in a case stemming from his handling of clashes between farmers and police last week in which at least 17 people died.

Neighbouring Argentina has withdrawn its ambassador from Paraguay.

Earlier, Argentine President Cristina Fernandez had said her country "would not validate the coup" in Paraguay.

President Fernandez also said that the South American trade bloc, Mercosur, would take "appropriate measures" at next week's summit in Argentina.

'Legal and constitutional'

Mr Franco, who had been serving as Mr Lugo's vice-president, was sworn in as president immediately after the impeachment.

Federico Franco said the removal of Mr Lugo from office was constitutional
He insisted the proceedings had been conducted in line with Paraguay constitution.

"What was carried out was a political trial in accordance with the constitution and the laws," he said.

Mr Franco acknowledged the impeachment had caused tensions with Paraguay neighbours.

"I am calm, we are going to organise the house, we are going to contact our neighbouring countries in due time and I'm absolutely certain that they are going to understand the situation in Paraguay," Mr Franco said.

The presidents of Ecuador and Venezuela, Rafael Correa and Hugo Chavez, were also outspoken in their criticism of the move.

Shops and businesses in the Paraguayan capital, Asuncion, have reopened after two days of uncertainty.

People seem to have gone back to their regular activities. The start of the weekend brought traffic and shoppers back to the streets, as well as a sense of tranquillity.
It was a stark contrast from Friday evening when news of Mr Lugo's removal from office broke and heavily armed police patrolled otherwise empty streets.

Many ordinary Paraguayans say they are shocked by the abrupt change of government.
The Senate followed the constitution' s strict impeachment procedure, but many citizens say they harbour doubts whether the move is in the country's democratic spirit.

"The Ecuadorian government will not recognise any president that isn't Fernando Lugo," Mr Correa said.

"We will not lend ourselves to these tales of alleged legal formalities, which clearly attack democracy," he added.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez displayed a similar sentiment: "In the name of the people of Venezuela and in the name of the Venezuelan government and as commander-in-chief, I'll say it.

"We, the Venezuelan government, the Venezuelan state, do not recognise this illegitimate and illegal government hat has been installed."

The governments of Colombia, Mexico and Chile have said they regretted the fact that Mr Lugo had not been "given reasonable time to prepare his defence".

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights said Mr Lugo's removal from office was an "attack on the legal foundation of the state".

The United States and Spain have avoided publicly opposing or supporting the move, instead pressing the principle of democracy in Paraguay.

A statement from the Spanish foreign ministry said: "Spain defends full respect for democratic institutions and the state of law and trusts that Paraguay, in respect for its constitution and international commitments, will manage to handle this political crisis and safeguard the peaceful coexistence of the Paraguayan people."

The United States took a similar stance.

US State Department spokeswoman Darla Jordan was quoted as saying: "We urge all Paraguayans to act peacefully, with calm and responsibility, in the spirit of Paraguay democratic principles."

Are you in Paraguay? What do you think of the Senate voting to impeach left-wing President Fernando Lugo, forcing him to step down? If you are willing to be interviewed by the Pan-African News Wire please e-mail us.