ASUNCION: Paraguay's president faced hastily called impeachment proceedings yesterday over a squatter eviction that turned deadly, with regional leaders warning against removing him without due process.
In a surprise move, lawmakers voted Thursday to launch the impeachment proceedings against President Fernando Lugo over his "poor performance" during clashes between police and squatters last week that left 17 people dead.
The South American bloc UNASUR quickly dispatched a ministerial delegation and warned against Lugo's removal without due process, with Ecuador warning that Paraguay could face sanctions under the group's "democracy clause."
Lugo, who has vowed to face his accusers, is scheduled to present his defense midday (1600 GMT) yesterday, with the senators acting as judges. Senate officials said that a final verdict will be announced at 2030 GMT yesterday.
Underscoring the gravity of the crisis, South American nations attending the Rio+20 UN sustainable development summit in Brazil immediately dispatched a ministerial mission to Paraguay.
The foreign ministers of leading South American countries — including Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela and Colombia — traveled aboard the same airplane and upon landing in the capital Asuncion headed directly to Lugo's residence.
UNASUR Secretary General Ali Rodriguez of Venezuela, speaking to reporters here, later expressed "grave concern" over the proceedings and said Lugo must be given "due process" and the right to defend himself.
Ecuador's President Rafael Correa went further, warning that Lugo's impeachment without due process could lead the regional bloc to sever ties with Paraguay over a "democracy clause" written into its charter.
"We cannot recognize a new government, and may even have to close the borders," Correa told reporters late Thursday at the UN summit in Brazil.
"Internally, they can do whatever they want, but their international recognition depends on our decision," he added.
Latin American leaders, most of whom experienced the dictatorships of the 1970s and 1980s, are sensitive to any threats to the democratic process.
The impeachment concerns clashes last yesterday that erupted when police sought to evict poor farmers from a huge prvately-owned estate in northeast Paraguay that the squatters say was acquired through political influence decades ago.
At least six police and 11 peasants were killed in the ensuing melee.
Lugo, a former Catholic bishop once known as the "bishop of the poor," fought back on Thursday at what he said is a show trial orchestrated by his political enemies.
"I refuse to renounce my functions and vow to abide by the political process with all its consequences," he said. The people's will is "under relentless attack by groups that are always opposed to change."
