Paraguay's ousted leader Fernando Lugo denounces 'coup'

The Telegraph ^ | June 24, 2012 | The Telegraph

[JerseyanExile]

Paraguay's ousted President Fernando Lugo has broken cover to accuse the country's Congress of carrying out a "parliamentary coup d'etat" to force him from power.

In his first public appearance since his impeachment on Friday over a deadly land dispute earlier this month, Mr Lugo, 61, attacked Congress for its decision but said he would accept it in the name of peace.

"Lugo has not been dismissed; democracy has been dismissed. They have not respected the popular will," he said at a street protest attended by about 500 people in the capital Asuncion.

He called his impeachment "unjust" and called for "peaceful" demonstrations.

"There was a parliamentary coup d'etat ... the arguments for impeachment had no value."

The impeachment was sparked by clashes that killed 17 police and peasant farmers during a recent land eviction. Critics of the process complained Mr Lugo's lawyers had only a few hours to defend him in the Senate, which voted 39-4 in favour of his removal.

No foreign government however has recognised Paraguay's new leadership.

Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay – Paraguay's partners in the Mercosur trading bloc – recalled their ambassadors for consultations.

Cristina Kirchner, the Argentina leader called the move a coup and warned that Mercosur could take measures against Paraguay. In theory, that could include suspension from the group.

Mr Franco, who served as Mr Lugo's vice president, earlier defended the ouster of his predecessor as being in compliance with the country's constitution, and he insisted "there was no coup."

Paraguay is one of the poorest countries in South America and Mr Lugo, a former Catholic bishop, vowed to improve the quality of life of low-income families when his election ended six decades rule by the Colorado party.But he struggled to push reforms, including land redistribution to poor peasant farmers, through Congress.

[jimtorr]

The impeachment was sparked by clashes that killed 17 police and peasant farmers during a recent land eviction.

Was somebody arming the "peasants"? That was one of the first signs of the troubles in Venezuela.

A 39 - 4 vote to remove the President by the Senate is as near unanimous as makes no difference. Was that the entrenched power blocs dumping the new guy making waves, or a broad recognition of a socialist trouble-maker?

[SatinDoll]

“a former [Roman Catholic] bishop” who was “pushing land redistribution”.

Well, someone certainly didn’t agree with the “bishop”.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks JerseyanExile.

The impeachment was sparked by clashes that killed 17 police and peasant farmers during a recent land eviction... No foreign government however has recognised Paraguay's new leadership. Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay -- Paraguay's partners in the Mercosur trading bloc -- recalled their ambassadors for consultations. Cristina Kirchner, the Argentina leader called the move a coup and warned that Mercosur could take measures against Paraguay... Mr Franco, who served as Mr Lugo's vice president, earlier defended the ouster of his predecessor as being in compliance with the country's constitution, and he insisted "there was no coup." ...Mr Lugo, a former Catholic bishop, vowed to improve the quality of life of low-income families when his election ended six decades rule by the Colorado party. But he struggled to push reforms, including land redistribution to poor peasant farmers, through Congress.

[JimWayne]

Who gets 0’s support? Just asking so I know who is the Marxist in the country.