The Venezuelan government has revoked the visas and diplomatic credentials of the Paraguayan government’s envoys in Caracas, in response to the expulsion of former Venezuelan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nicolas Maduro, and Venezuelan envoy, José Arrúe, from Paraguay in July earlier this year.
Brazilian diplomat and professor Samuel Pinheiro Guimarães analyses how US foreign policy in South America has suffered unexpected consequences from the Paraguayan coup d'état, particuarly the entry of Venezuela into the Mercosur bloc. He argues, “The question of Paraguay is the question of Venezuela, and of the dispute over economic and political influence in South America”.
By Manuel Lopez – Correo del Orinoco, Jul 11th 2012
Venezuela’s entrance into the Common Market of the South (Mercosur) will put an end to the vicious cycle of competition between Brazil and Argentina’s large private companies which leaves small countries marginalised, argued the Brazilian sociologist Emir Sader.
Paraguay’s new government has broken diplomatic relations with Venezuela after accusing it of meddling in Paraguay’s internal affairs. Several Latin American diplomats and media sources have cast doubt upon the allegations.
The right are willing to do anything to combat and undermine the exciting new stage of anti-capitalist governments and movements in Latin America, including coups. Since the failed coup in Venezuela (2002) they have been trying new "types" of coups, such as the recent one in Paraguay.
Venezuela has suspended oil shipments and withdrawn its ambassador from Paraguay as part of a regional wave of condemnation against the ouster of leftist Paraguayan president Fernando Lugo last Friday.
Given the recent events in Paraguay, where the opposition senate has brought impeachment proceedings against leftist president, Fernando Lugo, ALBA countries have issued a statement requesting that USAID be expelled from member countries for interfering with national sovereignty.
The secretary general of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), Alí Rodríguez of Venezuela, said yesterday that guarantees ensuring a proper defense should be established in the proceedings against Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo. Venezuelan vice-president Elias Jaua blamed "imperialism", the United States, and the "oligarchies" for the "coup attempt".
