Paraguayan Vice President Hugo Velazquez resigned after being accused of “significant corruption”. Photo: AFP
This was announced on Friday by the vice president of Paraguay, Hugo Velázquez he would have resigned in office after the US government accused him of “significant bribery” and vetoed his access to a visa to enter the country.
Velázquez also confirmed that he will withdraw from his candidacy for the presidency of Paraguay, a campaign he had launched ahead of the 2023 elections.
According to the ABC newspaper, the presidential candidacy will be withdrawn immediately, while the the resignation to the vice presidency will take place in a week.
Marc Osfield, US ambassador to Paraguay, at a press conference on the accusation of corruption against Vice President Hugo Velázquez. Photo: AFP
“I, Hugo Velázquez, will make the decision that I believe is the best for the country,” said the ABC radio official Cardinal, anticipating his decision.
Velázquez and legal advisor to the binational entity Yacyretá (EBY), Juan Carlos Duarte, were included by the United States on their list of corrupt people, Secretary of State Antony Blinken reported Friday.
Washington’s strong accusation of Hugo Velázquez
It was the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, who broke the news that the US government had put Velázquez on a “corrupt” list.
The president of Paraguay, Mario Abdo Benítez, (left), together with the newly resigned vice president, Hugo Velázquez. Photo: AFP
Washington sanctioned Velázquez and his close associate and legal advisor to the Yacyretá Binational Entity, Juan Carlos Duarte, “for their involvement in significant acts of corruptionincluding bribery of a public official and interference in public proceedings, “Blinken said in a statement.
Duarte “offered a bribe to a Paraguayan public official to thwart an investigation that threatened the vice president and his financial interests,” Washington said.
According to the White House, Duarte “abused and exploited its powerful and privileged position within the Yacyretá Binational Entity, putting public trust in one of Paraguay’s most vital economic assets at risk “.
Yacyretá is a hydroelectric power station built between Paraguay and Argentina on the Paraná River.
Blinken believes these corrupt acts contribute to the losing faith in the government and it affects “the public perception of corruption and impunity” in the office of the vice president.
Velázquez and his associate have been designated under section 7031 (c), ie will not be entitled to a visa to enter the United States.
The Department of State also designates several relatives, without specifying the kinship, of Velázquez and Duarte: Lourdes María Andrea Samaniego González, Dionicio Adalberto Velázquez Giménez, Sonya Rebeca Velázquez Escauriza, Hugo José Velázquez Escauriza, Ninfa Concepción Vera More Martira and Tamara. .
Source: AFP
Source: Clarin
