Venezuela’s Mercosur membership “null and void” says Paraguayan government
The Paraguayan government declared “illegal” and “null and void” the inclusion of Venezuela as a full member of Mercosur which was agreed on Tuesday during the extraordinary meeting held in Brasilia with the absence of Paraguay.
A release from the Foreign ministry says that “Paraguay sustains and will sustain in all instances” that the incorporation to Mercosur of Venezuela “is an abuse unacceptable to all the specific institutional framework and norms currently effective in the regional block”.
The Paraguayan Executive “reaffirms and reiterates it will continue in the battle for the defence of its rights in all instances and pertinent forums”, adds the release.
Paraguay was formally suspended from Mercosur 29 June for the “democratic rupture”, which according to Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay took place with the removal of Fernando Lugo as president, a week earlier, by the implementation of a political impeachment by the Paraguayan Senate.
On that same day and meeting the other three full members of the block agreed in the Mendoza summit to incorporate Venezuela which was formalized on Tuesday with the attendance of President Hugo Chavez.
The release added that a presidential statement “does not constitute a valid juridical act in the institutional framework of Mercosur and therefore it lacks legal support and efficacy”
Venezuela’s inclusion without the presence and conformity of Paraguay is “a gross violation of the Protocol of Adhesion of Venezuela from 4 July 2006” which demands the ratification of all the other full members.
Therefore, “until the Republic of Paraguay, as founding member of Mercosur does not deposit the pertinent ratification of Venezuela’s incorporation done without complying with this requisite, the whole action is null and void”.
Paraguay deplores that the process of regional integration, supported by current interests and conveniences “has distanced from juridical rule to build this common project on the basis of political rule”.
The Paraguayan Senate was the only legislative of the Mercosur full members not to ratify the incorporation of Venezuela.








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Paraguay should let the US build a base there, it'll protect them against Argentine and Venezulan imperial ambitions, whilst ta the same time giving the US a useful base in SA.
Now during the cold war there was the Berlin airlift, so if the rest of Mercosur continue to play dirty then we can have the Paraguyan airlift.
But Paraguay is right, Venezula isn't, by the rules of the Mercosur treaty, a full member, and shouldn't be treated as such.
But as you say when 3 of the 4 members start break the treaty, there's not much Paraguay can do.
I believe that Urugay will regret this decision, as will Brazil, but only time will tell.
the most dirty and nasty world. use the excuse of Bringing Democracy to other Countries, but in fact steal Their wealth. Look what Happened in Iraq and Therefore not do the same robbery in Syria because of the support of China and Russia to Bashar al-Assad. They say United States are fighting against terrorism, but Actually the biggest terrorist in the world They Are. They Trained who you think Bin Laden? the United States. who Knows who owns the petroleum company who works for the father of bin Laden? yes, bush family. the person who Knows Knows about politics the whole truth behind the idea of democracy of the United States. sorry my english.
Best thing for Paraguay right now is to sign as many free trade agreements with any country in the world willing to do so. Other countries should want to because Paraguay will be the doorway to the closed off Mercosur trade block. Also Paraguay doesn't export anything back of much value or competition so other countries can only benefit.
@4 Do you mean that Paraguay's only water route to the Atlantic is controlled by argieland? Doesn't UNCLOS require that land-locked countries HAVE to be given free access to the sea?
@9 Do you have any actual evidence? You know the stuff I mean. Actual FACTS that can be independently verified. Do you? Well, do you? Thought not. Just a fixated, xenophobic, conspiracy theorist!! Just as a matter of interest, are you an argie?
@10 Can't agree with you. For the time being, CFK is hampered by the constitutional rule that a president can only serve two consecutive terms. A rule I expect to see changed in the next 12 months. Even if it isn't changed, what's to stop her getting fat boy Maximo installed? The plan was for her to take turns with Nestor. That had to change when he croaked. (Or did she croak him? He used to smack her about, remember.) There is no limit to the number of terms for which Chavez can rule. Chavez is only 55. He could remain dictator for the next 20-25 years unless, hopefully, the Grim Reaper gets him first. No, Paraguay has to get out and, probably, join the Pacific Alliance. Then request that Chile allow it access to the Pacific and demand that Bolivia co-operates. Paraguay will not be forgiven by the Ugly Triplets. But the free trade agreements are fine. Start with Mexico and the United States.
All very valid points. While response top #3 is valid, the practical implications of it may be an entirely defintely concern. The UN is not taken seriously by any industrialized country in the world, until it is needed as a platfrom to make a case.
UNCLOS or not, I do not see any Mercosur country given Uruguay any access to seaways now that Mercosure went from Club Argentina to Club YouGo
I'd say it's more like your shoe in the pebbles...
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