Paraguay

Friday, December 18th 2009 - 10:53 UTC
Paraguay could vote on Venezuela’s Mercosur incorporation after summer recess

Paraguayan Congress will remain blocking Venezuela's entry into Mercosur trade bloc “as long as President Hugo Chávez continues intervening in foreign affairs”, stated the head of the Senate, Miguel Carrizosa, just a day after Brazilian lawmakers approved the incorporation. However his successor in the job affirms the opposite.
Thursday, December 17th 2009 - 03:05 UTC
Brazil strong message to Paraguay on support of Venezuela inside Mercosur

Following this week’s Brazilian Senate vote to for the incorporation of Venezuela as a Mercosur full member, only Paraguay’s support is pending, but the Paraguayan Senate is divided on the issue. More over President Fernando Lugo had to withdraw the initiative last August when he was informed the divided coalition that took him to office could not garner the sufficient votes to ensure support.
Tuesday, December 15th 2009 - 14:12 UTC
Rio Tinto Alcan planning a 2.5 billion USD aluminium smelter in Paraguay

Rio Tinto Alcan, a unit of global mining giant Rio Tinto said on Monday it could invest up to 2.5 billion US dollars in a potential aluminium smelter in Paraguay. Rio Tinto Alcan said it had begun negotiations on a possible power purchase agreement for the potential smelter.
Tuesday, December 1st 2009 - 07:33 UTC
Paraguayan Senate “freezes” Venezuela’s Mercosur incorporation

The Paraguayan Senate is also turning its back on Venezuela’s president Hugo Chavez Mercosur incorporation request. A leading Senator from the ruling coalition said that under current circumstances, and Chavez latest statements makes it “virtually impossible” to decide on the issue.
Wednesday, November 25th 2009 - 13:24 UTC
Paraguayan president allegedly also has a 22-year old daughter, claims relative

Paraguayan president Fernando Lugo, a former Catholic bishop that is facing at least two paternity demands was again involved in a similar controversy when his niece claimed his uncle had a non recognized 22 year old daughter who married over the weekend.
Thursday, November 19th 2009 - 13:26 UTC
Russia opens its first embassy ever in Paraguay’s 200 year history

The Russian Federation has formally opened its first embassy in Paraguay’s 200 year history. Although there have been diplomatic relations the Russian ambassador was concurrent from Buenos Aires and only since two decades ago.
Thursday, November 12th 2009 - 06:26 UTC
Paraguay “assessing” its support for Venezuela’s Mercosur admission

Paraguayan Foreign Affairs minister Hector Lacognata described as extremely worrying the escalating “bellicose speech” of Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez and admitted Paraguay could review its stand in support of that country’s Mercosur admission “if he persists in calling to prepare for war”.
Tuesday, November 10th 2009 - 07:54 UTC
Lula da Silva: “I preferred to give Paraguay a chance to develop”

A country with the size of Brazil can’t fight with Paraguay, said Brazilian president Lula da Silva justifying the Itaipu hydroelectric energy agreement signed last July with his Paraguayan counterpart Fernando Lugo in Asuncion.
He added, “I preferred to give a country like Paraguay the chance to develop”.
Saturday, November 7th 2009 - 16:30 UTC
In spite of coup denials Paraguayan president continues with military purge

Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo continued to purge the top ranks of the military Friday, removing the armed forces' commander. Lugo fired the commanders of the country's army, air force and navy on Wednesday.
Friday, November 6th 2009 - 04:12 UTC
Brazilian Senate postpones vote on Venezuela’s Mercosur incorporation

In related news the Brazilian Senate postponed for a week a full house vote on the incorporation of Venezuela to Mercosur which is pending since March 2007 when the administration of President Lula da Silva sent the request.