MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

OAS will not sanction Paraguay, says ambassador following informal meeting

Ambassador Saguier Caballero described as a victory for “free and sovereign Paraguay”

Paraguay will not be sanctioned by the Organization of American States, said the country’s ambassador on Friday following an informal meeting behind closed doors of OAS Permanent Council.

“Confirmed! NO, we are not going to the sanctioned by OAS. Hooray for Free and Sovereign Paraguay!” said Ambassador Hugo Saguier Caballero in his Facebook and Twitter.

The OAS Permanent Council meeting took place on Friday on request from Paraguay to address the situation of the country and took place behind doors and ‘informally’ so each member of the council could express its opinion on the issue.

During the meeting delegates also analyzed the in situ report from the OAS mission sent to Paraguay, headed by OAS Secretary General Miguel Insulza, following the removal of Fernando Lugo and his replacement by President Federico Franco.

According to the report’s conclusion the impeachment and removal of Lugo was not a coup, even when there were shortcomings.

“We’ve come out from the meeting very strong and it can be said that the danger of suspension from OAS has dissipated, more directly I would add that the issue is definitively closed”, said Ambassador Saguier Caballero.

He added that Paraguay at the informal meeting received a strong majority of votes, above the eleven minimum needed.

“We needed eleven votes, but we managed well above that number”, said the ambassador adding that next week a formal meeting will be summoned where Friday’s position will be formalized.

Ambassador Saguier Caballero said OAS would be sending an OAS mission with the purpose of cooperating with the institutionalization and strengthening of democracy in Paraguay.

Mercosur and Unasur sanctioned Paraguay by suspending the country from all their activities until after the 21 April 2013 elections.