DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Bolivia’s president calls on country to mobilize against ‘coup d’état’ after military surrounds government buildings
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Tara John | Abel Alvarado | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Bolivia’s President Luis Arce called on the country to “organize and mobilize against the coup d’état, in favor of democracy” as soldiers and armored military vehicles positioned themselves around governmental buildings in La Paz on Wednesday. “We cannot allow coup attempts to take Bolivian lives once again. It is unclear why military units are in Murillo Plaza and how many there are. Paraguay’s President Santiago Peña stressed that democracy and the rule of law be respected, in a statement on X. According to state media agency ABI, the military mobilization began around 2:30 p.m. local time.

Persons: CNN —, Luis Arce, ”, “, ” Arce, Evo Morales, ” Morales, ” Bolivia’s, David Choquehuanca, Santiago Peña, Luis Almagro, Josep Borrell Organizations: CNN, Murillo Plaza, Associated Press, Movement, Socialism, Bolivia ”, Wednesday, International, Paraguay’s, Organization of American States, Bolivian, ABI Locations: La Paz, Casa Grande ., Murillo, Bolivia

☆ Global leaders react to Milei's Argentina victory
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

ARGENTINE PRESIDENT ALBERTO FERNANDEZ"I am a man of democracy, and I value nothing more than the popular verdict. I trust that tomorrow we can start working with Javier Milei to guarantee an orderly transition." FORMER ARGENTINA PRESIDENT MAURICIO MACRI"I congratulate Javier Milei for bravely representing the will to advance and prosper that lives in the hearts of Argentines. WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR JAKE SULLIVAN"I congratulate Javier Milei on his election as president of Argentina and to the people of Argentina for holding free and fair elections. FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP"Congratulations to Javier Milei on a great race for president of Argentina.

Persons: Javier Milei, ALBERTO FERNANDEZ, MAURICIO MACRI, JAKE SULLIVAN, DONALD TRUMP, ILAN GOLDFAJN, LUIZ INACIO LULA DA SILVA, SANTIAGO PENA, GUSTAVO PETRO, Milei, GABRIEL BORIC, Sergio Massa, LUIS LACALLE POU, DINA BOLUARTE'S, JAIR BOLSONARO, Javier Milei's, ARGENTINA DMITRY FEOKTISTOV, Brendan O'Boyle, Lidia Kelly, Chris Reese Organizations: ARGENTINE, IDB, PARAGUAYAN, America, URUGUAYAN, Thomson Locations: ARGENTINA, Argentina, Argentine, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Argentine Republic, South America, United States, Brazil, RUSSIAN, BRICS

☆ Paraguay to reestablish ties with Venezuela after extended pause
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Paraguay's President-elect Santiago Pena speaks during an interview with Reuters ahead of his inauguration, in Asuncion, Paraguay August 7, 2023. REUTERS/Cesar Olmedo/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsASUNCION, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Paraguay and Venezuela have decided to reestablish diplomatic ties, the Paraguayan foreign ministry said in a statement on Wednesday, after the South American countries broke off relations nearly five years ago. Formal diplomatic ties were severed in January 2019, when Paraguay recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's interim president. Following talks between Paraguay's recently-elected President Santiago Pena and his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro, the ministry said ambassadors should be formally accredited in the coming days. Reporting by Daniela Desantis; Writing by Sarah Morland; Editing by David Alire GaricaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Santiago Pena, Cesar Olmedo, Juan Guaido, Paraguay's, Nicolas Maduro, Daniela Desantis, Sarah Morland, David Alire Garica Organizations: Reuters, REUTERS, Rights, South, Venezuelan, Thomson Locations: Asuncion, Paraguay, Rights ASUNCION, Venezuela, Paraguayan

☆ Paraguay president to halt Mercosur-EU talks if no deal by December
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Daniela Desantis | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Paraguay's president Santiago Pena addresses the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 19, 2023. Pena has criticized the progress of talks between the two trade blocs since before he took office in August. The deal between Mercosur - the trade bloc composed of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay - and the EU hit snags in 2019 after a so-called side letter from the EU requiring environmental safeguards. Lula, as well as EU Ambassador to Paraguay Javier Garcia de Viedma, have said they believe an EU-Mercosur deal was feasible by the end of 2023. "I think we are very close," Garcia de Viedma told reporters on Monday.

Persons: Santiago Pena, Eduardo Munoz, Pena, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Lula, Paraguay Javier Garcia de Viedma, Garcia de Viedma, Daniela Desantis, Sarah Morland, Mark Potter Organizations: General Assembly, REUTERS, Rights, European Union, Reuters, EU, Mercosur, United Nations General Assembly, United, United Arab Emirates, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Rights ASUNCION, Paraguayan, Mercosur, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay, New York, Singapore, United Arab, EU

☆ Paraguay president backs Taiwan joining UN system
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Paraguay's president Santiago Pena addresses the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 19, 2023. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz Acquire Licensing RightsSept 19 (Reuters) - Paraguay supports Taiwan joining the United Nations system, the South American country's president, Santiago Pena, said on Tuesday, speaking at the U.N. General Assembly (UNGA). Due to a 1971 U.N. resolution, Taiwan has been excluded from the international body, which recognizes the People's Republic of China as the legitimate representative of China to the U.N."The government of Paraguay expresses its support for the Republic of China - Taiwan to be an integral part of the United Nations system," Pena said. Paraguay is the last South American country with formal relations with Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory. When asked about Taiwan last week, U.N. Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said exclusion of anyone can harm global goals.

Persons: Santiago Pena, Eduardo Munoz, Pena, U.N, Amina Mohammed, Kylie Madry, Sarah Morland Organizations: General Assembly, REUTERS, United Nations, American, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Paraguay, Taiwan, People's Republic of China, China, Republic of China, American

[1/5] Paraguay's new President Santiago Pena wears the presidential sash and holds the baton of command as he greets people with the first lady Leticia Ocampos during his inauguration, in Asuncion, Paraguay August 15, 2023. REUTERS/Cesar Olmedo Acquire Licensing RightsASUNCION, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Santiago Pena was sworn in on Tuesday as Paraguay's new president, promising to "build alliances" and show "firm and ethical leadership" for the next five years after his April election victory. "We will build alliances and cooperation with a geostrategic vision," the president said in his inaugural speech, adding that Paraguay's relationship with Taiwan "is an example of this and of Paraguay's friendly and cooperative spirit with nations." Despite pressure from farmers who want to open up Chinese markets, he has pledged to stick with Paraguay's decades-long diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Pena faces the additional challenge of shoring up relations with the United States after the U.S. government accused his political mentor, former President Horacio Cartes, of corruption.

Persons: Santiago Pena, Leticia Ocampos, Cesar Olmedo, Pena, Spain, William Lai, Mario Abdo Benitez, Santi, Horacio Cartes, Cartes, Milda Rivarola, Rivarola, Daniela Desantis, Lucinda Elliott, Jonathan Oatis, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, South, Taiwan's, Colorado Party, U.S, Ultima, Thomson Locations: Asuncion, Paraguay, Rights ASUNCION, William Lai . Paraguay, China, Taiwan, Paraguayan, United States

Paraguay's President-elect Santiago Pena speaks during an interview with Reuters ahead of his inauguration, in Asuncion, Paraguay August 7, 2023. His party's diplomatic support for Taiwan has hurt local farmers' grains exports to China, which claims sovereignty over the self-governed island. Taiwan Vice President William Lai is in Paraguay for Pena's inauguration. Relations with the United States will also be in focus after the U.S. government accused Pena's political backer, former President Horacio Cartes, of corruption. Pena also wants to create 500,000 new jobs in five years to boost the South American country's farm-driven economy, dominated by soybeans and beef.

Persons: Santiago Pena, Cesar Olmedo, Pena, William Lai, Horacio Cartes, " Pena, Cartes, Santi, Daniela Desantis, Lucinda Elliott, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: Reuters, REUTERS, Colorado, Colorado Party, Pena's, U.S, American, Columbia University, IMF, Thomson Locations: Asuncion, Paraguay, ASUNCION, Taiwan, U.S, China, United States, Washington, Colorado

CNN —China’s foreign ministry on Sunday condemned the transit of Taiwan’s vice president and presidential candidate William Lai through the United States, calling him a “troublemaker through and through.”Lai arrived in New York on Saturday en route to Paraguay where he will attend the inauguration of Paraguayan President Santiago Pena on August 15. Paraguay is Taiwan’s only diplomatic ally in South America. Shortly after Lai’s arrival, China’s foreign ministry said it “firmly opposes” any official interaction between the US and Taiwan and any “‘Taiwan independence’ separatists to the US.”“China deplores and strongly condemns the US decision to arrange the so-called ‘stopover,’” it said in a statement. “Lai clings stubbornly to the separatist position for ‘Taiwan independence’. Lai is due to transit through San Francisco on August 16 on his return to Taipei, Taiwan’s vice foreign minister Alexander Yui said during a media briefing earlier this month.

Persons: CNN —, William Lai, ” Lai, Santiago Pena, Lai, ”, ‘, China’s, “, “ Lai, China ”, Alexander Yui Organizations: CNN, Paraguayan, US, Communist Party, Taiwan, ’ Locations: United States, New York, Paraguay, South America, China, Taiwan, ”, Lai, San Francisco, Taipei

☆ Reaction to killing of Ecuador presidential candidate Villavicencio
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

QUITO, Aug 9 (Reuters) - The following are reactions to the assassination of Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio on Wednesday. Ecuadorean presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio speaks during a campaign rally in Quito, Ecuador August 9, 2023. AMBASSADOR TO ECUADOR MIKE FITZPATRICK"I am deeply dismayed to learn of the assassination of Fernando Villavicencio, presidential candidate and fighter against the corruption and narco-criminals who have done so much damage to Ecuador." PARAGUAY'S PRESIDENT-ELECT SANTIAGO PENA"We repudiate and condemn the assassination of Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio. HONDURAN PRESIDENT XIOMARA CASTRO"We strongly condemn the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio.

Persons: Fernando Villavicencio, GUILLERMO LASSO, Mayor Intriago, Fernando, RAFAEL CORREA, LUISA GONZALEZ, DANIEL NOBOA AZIN, XAVIER HERVAS, Karen Toro, MIKE FITZPATRICK, SANTIAGO PENA, XIOMARA CASTRO, Alexandra Valencia, Isabel Woodford, Valentine Hilaire, Caroline Pulice, Lincoln Organizations: OF, AMERICAN STATES, REUTERS, U.S, AFFAIRS MINISTRY, Ecuadorian, MINISTRY OF, Thomson Locations: QUITO, OF ECUADOR, Ecuador, Quito, Government, Chile, Ecuadorian Government, Mexico City

[1/2] President of the Central Bank of Paraguay Carlos Fernandez Valdovinos speaks during an interview with Reuters in Asuncion, Paraguay July 31, 2017. REUTERS/Jorge Adorno/File photoASUNCION, Aug 1 (Reuters) - Paraguay is seeking more Taiwanese investment to diversify its farm-driven economy focused on exporting raw materials to China, incoming Finance Minister Carlos Fernandez Valdovinos said in an interview. Paraguay remains the only South American nation with formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory. A Taiwan delegation including business leaders will travel to Paraguay in August for the inauguration of conservative President-elect Santiago Pena, he added. China, as a buyer of raw materials from Paraguay with no added value, "is probably convenient for some sectors," Fernandez said.

Persons: Central Bank of Paraguay Carlos Fernandez Valdovinos, Jorge Adorno, Carlos Fernandez Valdovinos, Fernandez, Santiago Pena, Pena, Jair Antonio de Lima, Lima, Lucinda Elliott, Daniela Desantis, Richard Chang Organizations: Central Bank of, Reuters, REUTERS, Gross, Thomson Locations: Central Bank of Paraguay, Asuncion, Paraguay, ASUNCION, China, Taiwan, CHINA, PARAGUAY Paraguayan, Beijing, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguayan, United States, Japan, South Korea, Ukraine

BEIJING/TAIPEI, July 17 (Reuters) - China reacted with anger on Monday to a planned visit next month to the United States by "separatist" Taiwan presidential frontrunner Vice President William Lai, as the government in Taipei said it saw no reason to overreact to mere transit stops. Such transits infuriate China, which views them as covert support by the United States for Taiwan's separateness from China and challenge to Beijing's territorial claims. "China firmly opposes any form of official exchanges between the United States and Taiwan, resolutely opposes sneaky visits by Taiwan independence separatists in any name or for any reason, and resolutely opposes any form of connivance by the United States to support Taiwan independence separatists," she said. Speaking to reporters, Taiwan Vice Foreign Minister Alexander Yui declined to give details on Lai's U.S. transits, saying details would come later. Pena visited Taiwan last week and met both Lai and Tsai, who cannot run for office again after serving two terms.

Persons: William Lai, Lai, Santiago Pena, Tsai Ing, Tsai, Kevin McCarthy, Mao Ning, Pena, Alexander Yui, Yui, Liz Lee, Ben Blanchard, Kim Coghill, Lincoln, Michael Perry Organizations: Central America, Foreign Ministry, Taiwan, Foreign, U.S, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, TAIPEI, China, United States, Taiwan, Taipei, U.S, Taiwan's, Los Angeles, Central, Beijing, Paraguay, Republic of China

☆ Paraguay 'would love' more China trade, Taiwan still better for development
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-15 | by ( Ben Blanchard | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TAIPEI, July 15 (Reuters) - Paraguay "would love" to do more trade with China, but Taiwan offers the best bet for moving the largely agricultural economy up the value chain, the country's president-elect Santiago Pena said on Saturday on a visit to Taipei. Paraguay is the last South American country with formal relations with Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory. Honduras ended decades of ties in favour of Beijing this year, and only 13 countries now recognise Taiwan. "We have no constraints on doing trade with China. We would love to do more trade with the PRC," he said, referring to the People's Republic of China.

Persons: Santiago Pena, Pena, Tsai Ing, Wang Mei, Tsai, William Lai, Lai, Ben Blanchard, William Mallard Organizations: Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, Paraguay, China, Taiwan, Taipei, American, Honduras, Beijing, People's Republic of China, Brazil, United States

☆ Paraguay president-elect says committed to Taiwan, pitches investment
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Paraguay's President-elect Santiago Pena speaks at a meeting with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen at the presidential office in Taipei, Taiwan, in this handout image released July 12, 2023. Taiwan Presidential Office/Handout via REUTERSTAIPEI, July 12 (Reuters) - Paraguay President-elect Santiago Pena said on Wednesday that he is committed to a relationship with Taiwan as he pitched investment opportunities he said should not be based on political or diplomatic considerations. Paraguay is the last South American country with formal relations with Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory. Meeting Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, Pena said that as president he would stick with Taipei. Pena met Lai before meeting Tsai, though Taiwan's presidential office did not mention whether Lai would attend the inauguration.

Persons: Santiago Pena, Tsai Ing, Pena, William Lai, Lai, Tsai, Ben Blanchard, Robert Birsel Organizations: Taiwan, Taiwan Presidential, REUTERS, Reuters, Democratic Progressive, Thomson Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, REUTERS TAIPEI, Paraguay, American, China, Honduras, Beijing, United States

☆ Paraguay president-elect to visit 'great friend' Taiwan's Tsai
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] President-Elect Santiago Pena, a 44-year-old economist who won 43% of the vote on Sunday in the Presidential election, speaks during a news conference in Asuncion, Paraguay May 2, 2023. REUTERS/Cesar Olmedo/File PhotoTAIPEI, July 9 (Reuters) - Paraguay's president-elect, Santiago Pena, will visit Taiwan this week and meet "great friend" President Tsai Ing-wen, he said on Sunday, shoring up a relationship at a time China is working to entice the island's dwindling allies. Pena said on his Twitter account he would visit Abu Dhabi, then go to Taiwan to meet Tsai, who he described as a "great friend". He will be in Taiwan for the 66th anniversary of diplomatic ties on Wednesday, the ministry said. Diplomatic sources have told Reuters that Lai might attend as Taiwan's representative, likely transiting the United States to meet U.S. officials.

Persons: Santiago Pena, Cesar Olmedo, Tsai Ing, shoring, Pena, Tsai, William Lai, Wang Mei, Lai, Ben Blanchard, William Mallard Organizations: REUTERS, Democratic Progressive, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Asuncion , Paraguay, TAIPEI, Taiwan, China, Paraguay, American, Honduras, Beijing, Central America, Caribbean, U.S, America, Washington, Abu Dhabi, United States

☆ Paraguay president-elect commits to 'strengthen' ties with Taiwan
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 5 - Paraguay's president-elect, Santiago Pena, said on Friday that he would continue to strengthen his country's "historic ties" with Taiwan following a call with his counterpart there after winning Sunday's election. Paraguay is Taiwan's only South American ally and the island - claimed by China as its own - has lost support from other Central American nations in recent years. We will keep strengthening the historic ties between Paraguay and the Republic of China (Taiwan), and look forward to working on mutually beneficial cooperation projects," Pena said on Twitter, referring to President Tsai Ing-wen. Taiwan faces an uphill battle to keep ties with the 13 countries that currently recognize it as a sovereign nation, amid pressure from China. (This story has been refiled to fix a typographical error in paragraph 1)Reporting by Daniela Desantis; Writing by Isabel Woodford; Editing by Jonathan OatisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Paraguay presidential candidate Cubas arrested after post-election protests
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] Paraguayo Cubas, who placed third in Paraguay's presidential elections last week, talks to police officers after his arrest, in Asuncion, Paraguay, May 5, 2023. REUTERS/Cesar OlmedoASUNCION, May 5 (Reuters) - Paraguayo Cubas, who placed third in Paraguay's presidential elections, has been arrested following post-election protests, authorities said on Friday. Cubas led protests to dispute Sunday's election results and call for a recount, though international organizations said there was no reason to doubt the integrity of the vote. "All the criminals in this country should be handcuffed like Paraguayo Cubas," he added as he got into a patrol car. Cubas had announced plans for renewed protests after his arrival in the capital.

☆ OAS says no reason to put into doubt Paraguay's election results
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

May 2 (Reuters) - The Organization of American States (OAS) said on Tuesday that its electoral observation mission saw no reason to put into doubt Paraguay's election results, following protests by supporters of a right-wing candidate who came in third. The statement follows clashes on Monday between police and supporters of Paraguayo Cubas amid complaints of fraud in a vote that the ruling Colorado Party won comfortably. President-elect Santiago Pena won 43% of the vote on Sunday compared with 27% for runner-up Efrain Alegre. Cubas, who surprised observers by winning nearly 23%, called in a post on Instagram for a recount and asked his supporters to protest. Reporting by Carolina Pulice; Editing by Sarah MorlandOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

[1/5] Cipriano Gomez and Ambrosio Pedraza share a laugh as they chat the day after the general elections, where Santiago Pena, from the ruling Colorado Party, was elected as the new Paraguayan President, in Asuncion, Paraguay May 1, 2023. REUTERS/Agustin MarcarianASUNCION, May 1 (Reuters) - Paraguayans on Monday were mixed about the prospects of another five years of conservative Colorado party rule, but hoped President-elect Santiago Pena could reboot the country’s farm-driven economy. Pena, a 44-year-old economist, secured a 15-point lead over his opposition rival with 42.7% of the vote, cementing another five-year term for the ruling Colorado Party. "For me personally, Santiago Pena is a person who could contribute a lot to the economy of our country (by) putting things in place in macroeconomic terms,” Candia told Reuters. Resident Victor Barrios also felt Pena was the right choice: "I think Santiago Pena is the ideal president for now … five years on we’ll see what he does and how we judge him," he said.

☆ Paraguay election result calms fear of another Taiwan ally falling (for now)
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Lucinda Elliott | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

ASUNCION, May 1 (Reuters) - News of Santiago Pena's election victory in Paraguay will be cheered by officials in Taiwan, which faces an uphill battle against China's economic muscle to keep its remaining 13 allies worldwide, including its last in South America. "This is a relief to Taipei," a senior European diplomat told Reuters in Asuncion asking not to be named. Taiwan's embassy in Paraguay congratulated Pena for winning the election and said it would continue to work on the two countries' "fruitful relationship". Pena's victory - and a strong performance in congressional elections by the ruling conservatives - has dampened hopes of a swift foreign policy shift, Galli said. Rubén Ramírez, a former foreign minister for Paraguay told Reuters that discussions over the Taiwan relationship must remain a priority when the new government is sworn in.

[1/4] Paraguayan presidential candidate Santiago Pena from the ruling Colorado Party gestures next to his wife Leticia Ocampos at the party headquarters as he and his running mate Pedro Alliana won Paraguay's presidential race, according to the preliminary official count, in Asuncion, Paraguay April 30, 2023. Still, Pena will be able to keep a cool head amid the tumult, his supporters say. "I think what characterizes him is that he has infinite tranquility," said Lea Gimenez, who served as Pena's deputy when he was finance minister and was later finance minister herself. Throughout the campaign the Colorado Party candidate has vowed to extend Paraguay's decades-long diplomatic relations with Taiwan, despite pressures to open up to China and its huge consumer demand for soybeans and beef. He became finance minister in 2015.

☆ Paraguay's conservatives score big election win, defusing Taiwan fears
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Paraguayan presidential candidate for the Colorado Party, Santiago Peña (C), celebrates with his wife, Leticia Ocampos de Pea (R), and Paraguayan former President Horacio Cartes, after winning the presidential election in Asuncion on April 30, 2023. Norberto Duarte | AFP | Getty ImagesParaguay's ruling candidate Santiago Pena, 44, scored a big win in the country's presidential election on Sunday, tightening the conservative Colorado Party's political grip in the country and defusing fears about the end of diplomatic ties with Taiwan. "Thank you for this Colorado victory, thank you for this Paraguayan victory," Pena said in a speech. Colorado and right-wing party candidates also performed strongly in congressional elections and governor races, with some provinces recording a historic Colorado majority over opposition rivals. The Colorado Party has dominated politics in the landlocked South American country since the 1950s.

ASUNCION, April 30 (Reuters) - Paraguayans are readying to head to the polls on Sunday in what could be the biggest electoral challenge to the ruling conservative Colorado Party in over a decade and with the country's near 70-year ties with Taiwan potentially at stake. In the streets and news debates, the political build-up has been dominated by the economy, corruption allegations and the candidates' views on Taiwan. Paraguay is one of only 13 nations to maintain formal diplomatic ties with the democratically-governed island that China claims as its own. Pena has said he would maintain ties with Taiwan. In final campaign events, Alegre took aim at corruption charges that have dogged Colorado Party leader Horacio Cartes, who was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury this year.

☆ Paraguay Voters Elect Conservative Economist as President
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-30 | by ( Jack Nicas | Laurence Blair | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

POZO COLORADO, Paraguay — Paraguayans elected Santiago Peña, a 44-year-old conservative economist, as their new president on Sunday, keeping the South American nation in the control of the right-wing Colorado Party that has run the country for all but five of the past 76 years. The result means that Paraguay, a landlocked nation of seven million people, has resisted the leftward shift across Latin America in recent years. Instead, Paraguayans delivered victory to a right-wing candidate who made vague promises to add jobs, lower energy prices and clear drug addicts from the street. Mr. Peña had 43 percent of the vote with 99 percent of the ballots counted, defeating two challengers who split the opposition vote. Mr. Peña is a political protégé of a former Paraguayan president, Horacio Cartes, who is one of its richest men and the president of the Colorado Party.

The ruling Colorado Party has dominated Paraguayan politics for the last three-quarters of a century, in power for all but five years. "We never talked about politics before, because a win for the Colorado Party was a done deal," 40-year-old bank worker Gustavo Vera told Reuters in the capital. "There's more corruption in Paraguay than work... All I know is we have to work much harder to make ends meet." The U.S. Treasury earlier this year imposed sanctions on party chief Horacio Cartes and Vice President Hugo Velazquez, citing "rampant corruption." Alegre, on his third presidential campaign, has pulled together a broad alliance of independent parties to challenge the powerful Colorado political machine.

But Pena, who has powerful party backing, is able to keep a cool head amid the tumult, his supporters say. "I think what characterizes him is that he has infinite tranquility," said Lea Gimenez, who served as Pena's deputy when he was finance minister and was later finance minister herself. Opinion polls suggest either Pena or center-left opposition leader Efrain Alegre could triumph and most analysts predict a close race. "He matured very quickly, being a young father... he became an adult very quickly," a former colleague told Reuters. He became finance minister in 2015.

Search resuls for: "Santiago Peña"

25 mentions found