Democracy News

Paraguay Fires Military Officials Amid Coup Rumors
November 5, 2009
By: Randi Zung | Printer Friendly

On November 4, Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo ordered the replacement of top military commanders one day after publicly dismissing rumors of a potential military coup and calls for his impeachment.  CNN reports that as commander-in-chief, Lugo replaced the heads of the country’s air force, army, and navy.  The new military commanders are set to be sworn in on Thursday morning.

According to an article in The Washington Post, there has been no immediate public response from the military or any government officials.  However, procedure requires military appointees to be approved by the Senate, and as of Wednesday, Lugo had not submitted a formal request.  The same article also reports that Lugo has recently been in disagreement with the country’s Congress over the implementation of proposed economic and social changes that would benefit the country’s poor.  The left-leaning Lugo had been vocal about criticizing the country’s conservative elite, noting that they lived in luxury while many citizens lacked basic necessities like clean drinking water.  The article also mentions that Lugo’s rivals have been attempting to remove him from office, last week threatening impeachment.  In a statement, Lugo dismissed coup rumors by declaring “the military does not show any intent of reversing the process of democratic consolidation.”  Lugo, whose five year term will expire in 2013, said that nothing will remove him from office until his term is up.  Lugo was elected to office last year.

The Washington Post implied that Lugo’s decision was also potentially motivated by the delivery of $1.4 million in equipment for a Paraguayan military anti-terror squad.  The shipment from the United States contained “high-tech communications, weapons and night-vision gear and bulletproof vests.”

According to Reuters, while Lugo has dismissed the coup, he did mention the possibility of “a small group of military officers” banding together with his political rivals.  Recently, opposition leaders have criticized Lugo for increasing crime rates and a scandal involving one of his presidential aides.  Reuters also reports that the coup rumors emerged after military officials met with opposition lawmakers.

Since democracy was restored in 1989, the country has been plagued by political instability.  Previous to the implementation of democracy, Paraguay had been under a 35-year military dictatorship led by General Alfredo Stroessner.

Sources:
Paraguay's president replaces military brass amid coup rumors
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/11/04/paraguay.president.fernando.lugo/index.html

Paraguayan president dismisses military chiefs
http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-43699320091105

President Lugo fires Paraguay's military chiefs
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/04/AR2009110404043.html