Hugo Velázquez: the vice president of Paraguay announces his resignation after being accused by the US of “significant acts of corruption”.

President Abdo said that the continuation of the vice-president’s candidacy was “unacceptable”, but welcomed the fact that he had “put himself at the disposal of the US government”.

Velázquez is accused by the US of hosting bribes of more than US$1 million to a Paraguayan official conducting an investigation against him.

There were no further details on the nature of the case. But for the US that research “threatened the vice president and his financial interests”.

The announcement was made by the US Ambassador in Asunción, Marc Ostfield, at a press conference in the diplomatic delegation held simultaneously with the publication of a statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antony Blinken, in Washington.

“To take care of the movement, it is my obligation to step aside,” Velázquez told Monumental radio. He will put his resignation into effect next week to leave office “in order”, he said.

“I speak with the calmness that my behavior gives me, because I did not do what they accuse me of. I speak with a clear conscience,” he added.

Washington also pointed out acts of corruption Juan Carlos Duarteof the Yacyretá binational hydroelectric plant and who was allegedly the facilitator of Velázquez’s bribery, according to the Paraguayan press.

Like the vice president, Duarte said he was surprised by the accusation: “I’m extremely surprised, I’m going to make myself available to them [EE.UU.]I will ask for the relevant information.”

“I have already resigned from my post, it is a public post and I must honor the republican institutions,” he added.

The designation implies that both Velázquez and Duarte and their immediate family members “are ineligible to enter the United States,” Ambassador Ostfield reported.

This Friday’s announcement comes three weeks after the United States also pointed to the former Paraguayan president Horace Cartes (2013-2018) of “significant corruption”.

He is accused of “obstructing a major international investigation into transnational crime in order to protect himself and his criminal partner from possible prosecution and political damage.”

The ARN, the political wing of President Mario Abdo, represents Horacio Cartes’ movement in the internal elections of the conservative Colorado Party, which has governed the country for the last seven decades (with the exception of the 2008-2013 period) .

Velázquez, who for years was a prosecutor in the triple border area between Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil, ran as a candidate for the primary election next December.

President Abdo said that this weekend the replacement of Velázquez in the ARN will be defined.

American corruption designations have raised questions about Washington’s influence on Paraguayan politics. Given this, Ambassador Ostfield rejected interference.

“The United States will continue to use all available tools to combat corruption and organized crime, regardless of political affiliation, wealth or personal connections,” the diplomat said Friday.

“This designation has nothing to do with politics,” he insisted.

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