Paraguay vice president resigns after US sanctions

By: 2 years ago

聽In this file photo taken on April 05, 2017 Paraguayan deputy Hugo Velazquez speaks next to the president of the Paraguayan Senate Robert Acevedo (out of frame), during a press conference after attending a roundtable regarding the suspended re-election controversial bill that led to violent riots during last weekend, at the Metropolitan Seminary in Asuncion. AFP

ASUNCION 鈥� Paraguay鈥檚 Vice President Hugo Velazquez announced his resignation Friday and pulled out of the running for next year鈥檚 presidential election after he was sanctioned by Washington for 鈥渟ignificant corruption.鈥�

The US State Department had earlier released a statement from Secretary of State Antony Blinken saying Velazquez would be barred from entering the United States due to his 鈥渋nvolvement in significant corruption, including bribery of a public official and interference in public processes.鈥�

Velazquez was hoping to stand for election next year as Paraguay鈥檚 presidents 鈥� including the current leader Mario Abdo Benitez 鈥� are limited to a single five-year term.

鈥淭he decision to step aside is to not affect the president鈥� or their Colorado Party, Velazquez told 1080 AM radio station.

鈥淚 am retiring from politics. It was the last stage of my career. If it couldn鈥檛 happen, what are we to do?鈥�

Several family members were also sanctioned, as well as Juan Carlos Duarte, a close friend and legal adviser to the company that runs the major Yacyreta hydroelectric power station.

Velazquez denied the US allegations and insisted he has 鈥渁 clean conscience.鈥�

He had been a candidate for the ruling Colorado Party鈥檚 December primaries ahead of next year鈥檚 election.

The US sanctions relate to Duarte offering 鈥渁 bribe to a Paraguayan public official in order to obstruct an investigation that threatened the vice president and his financial interests,鈥� said Blinken.

黑料社