Paraguay

• Wednesday, July 13th 2016 - 05:11 UTC

  Mercosur asks Venezuela for 'democratic and human rights gestures' before transferring the group's chair

  

  Mercosur members are requesting from Venezuela concrete gestures in favor of democracy and human rights if they are to consider the transfer of the group's pro tempore chair from Uruguay to Caracas, pointed out Paraguayan foreign minister Eladio Loizaga a day after the group was unable to reach a consensus on the issue that has become particularly controversial when not frustrating.

• Tuesday, July 12th 2016 - 08:03 UTC

  Neighbors Stand Up to Venezuela

  

  By New York Times Editorial Board
  
  This summer, Venezuela was poised to assume the rotating presidency of Mercosur, a trade bloc that includes Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. But at the urging of Paraguay, Mercosur heads of state are considering blocking Venezuela, at least temporarily, citing the erosion of democracy there.

• Friday, July 8th 2016 - 04:56 UTC

  Uruguayan government insists in transferring Mercosur presidency to Venezuela

  

  Uruguay ratified on Thursday its willingness to transfer the Mercosur presidency to Venezuela despite objections from the other members, Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. In a brief statement in its official site, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Uruguay, currently holding the Mercosur pro tempore chair “reiterates its position to proceed to transfer the presidency, in abidance with what is established by the current Mercosur rules”.

• Thursday, June 30th 2016 - 13:22 UTC

  Paraguay does not accept Venezuela as Mercosur pro tempore chair; group split in half

  

  Mercosur is again split over Venezuela because Paraguay, and apparently Brazil, have not been consulted regarding the decision to hand the pro tempore presidency of the block to Venezuela in July, as was agreed in Montevideo by Uruguay and Argentina.

• Tuesday, June 28th 2016 - 06:28 UTC

  Mercosur presidential summit off, but chair transfer to Venezuela will be done at foreign ministers' level

  

  Mercosur presidential summit next July in Montevideo has been cancelled, but the six-month presidency of the group, currently held by Uruguay will be transferred as scheduled to Venezuela, although some conditions of the event are “pending discussion”, said on Monday foreign ministers Susana Malcorra and host Rodolfo Nin Novoa.

• Friday, June 10th 2016 - 09:54 UTC

  Brazil and Paraguay 'deeply' concerned with the economic and human rights condition in Venezuela

  

  Brazil and Paraguay foreign ministers Jose Serra and Eladio Loizaga expressed “deep concern” with the Venezuela crisis situation, particularly the “economic and human rights continued deterioration”, and reiterated their two countries willingness to cooperate and promote dialogue.

• Friday, May 27th 2016 - 08:04 UTC

  Paraguay requests meeting of Mercosur foreign ministers to address Venezuela situation

  

  Paraguay formally requested on Thursday a meeting of Mercosur foreign ministers to address the situation in Venezuela which is undergoing a critical political, social and economic scenario. The request was presented to Uruguay which currently holds the chair of the trade block made up of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela.

• Friday, April 29th 2016 - 05:44 UTC

  Mercosur unmoved by Rousseff''s invocation of the “democratic clause”

  

  “We respect the Brazilian constitutional process” and thus Argentina does not have plans to follow on president Dilma Rousseff announcement that she will appeal to Mercosur to implement the “democratic clause” if the impeachment process to remove the head of state from office advances in the country's Senate.

• Saturday, March 26th 2016 - 07:15 UTC

  Mercosur prepares to celebrate 25th anniversary hoping it can be 'reborn' under Argentine leadership

  

  On Saturday 26 March the Asuncion Treaty, which gave birth to Mercosur, the Common Market of the South, will be 25, and even with celebration plans the mood of its members is not enthusiastic following years of “too much ideology” and “too little trade and business”, distant from the original idea and purpose.

• Saturday, March 26th 2016 - 07:03 UTC

  Mercosur and Unasur can't agree on a statement of support for Dilma Rousseff

  

  The attempt by Uruguay to draft a strong Mercosur and Unasur resolution in support of embattled Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff has foundered. Argentina is only prepared to express support for Brazil's institutions while Chile and Paraguay have balked at the idea of personalizing the issue in Rousseff and her Workers Party.