[Cincinatus' Wife]

US military presence in Paraguay irks neighbors ***"This is all about trade," says Anderson Siglkicki, a restaurant manager in Foz de Iguaçu, Brazil, just across the Parana River from Paraguay. "Paraguay thinks MERCOSUR is unfair, so they want to make friends with the United States. Paraguay wants to join the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas."

But Milda Rivarola, a Paraguayan political analyst and historian, says officials will feel little domestic pressure to kick the US troops out of the country.

"Most Paraguayans are indifferent," she says. "Progressive sectors and leftist groups have protested, and the press made it an object of debate. But in the country, few people are going to complain, especially if they get free services and some money."***

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Venezuela 'landslide' for Chavez [ EU verified ]***Parties allied to President Hugo Chavez say they have won all 167 seats in the country's parliament, after elections boycotted by the opposition. None of the five main opposition parties took part, accusing the electoral body of bias.

Only about 25% of registered voters cast a ballot.

A two-thirds majority in parliament will allow Mr Chavez to remove the current constitutional limit of two presidential terms in office.

But the opposition says the low turnout deprives the election of legitimacy.

"Venezuela is speaking with its silence," said Julio Borges, a prominent opposition member. ...............***