MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Mercosur: Paraguay to consider Venezuela case after elections

Venezuela's incorporation to Mercosur will be considered by the Paraguayan congress following April 20 general elections, but the issue remains controversial and the outcome is uncertain anticipated the Senate's International affairs committee president.

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez attitudes and stances generate "changing scenarios" and therefore it's hard to forecast the Paraguayan Congress decision pointed out Senator Alfredo Ratti. Besides, there's an overall disenchantment with Mercosur among the group's junior member Paraguay. Business leaders have a critical position regarding the way Mercosur actually functions, and many members of congress, particularly conservatives have doubts about Venezuela's membership But although some of them are hostile towards Chavez domestic and foreign policies, they also admit that the presence of Venezuela could help to "rebalance" the South American trade block, which according to Paraguay and Uruguay has become a two member club, with Brazil and Argentina taking all the main decisions regardless of junior members' opinions. Venezuela's incorporation was decided by Mercosur presidents in July 2006 in Caracas, but still has to be considered by the different country members' congresses. Argentina and Uruguay rapidly voted in favor of Venezuela's membership, but in Brazil only the Lower House committees have taken that step. It is expected for the full house, with a majority of members from President Lula da Silva to follow and approve the initiative. However the forecast in the Brazilian Senate is more uncertain, since as in Paraguay, conservatives are not at all pleased with President Chavez and the fact he referred to the Upper House as "US parrots and representatives of the oligarchy". On the other hand Brazilian corporations are very satisfied with business opportunities and investments in Venezuela. Paraguay is currently in the last few weeks of the presidential campaign and Mercosur affairs as such are not in the public opinion agenda. Maybe Venezuela, Argentina, Brazil and their influence on Paraguayan politics but not whether the South American customs union should be expanded or not.