Jan 26 (Reuters) – The U.S. Treasury on Thursday imposed sanctions on Paraguay’s former President Horacio Cartes and present Vice President Hugo Velazquez, citing “rampant corruption that undermines democratic establishments.”
The Treasury’s Workplace of International Property Management additionally blacklisted 4 entities owned or managed by Cartes.
It accused Cartes of collaborating in corrupt actions earlier than, throughout and after his time period as president, alleging the idea of his profession trusted “corrupt means for fulfillment,” whereas it accused Velazquez of interfering with authorized processes to “shield himself and felony associates” from investigation.
Cartes beforehand denied wrongdoing in July, when the USA first made the accusations. He, Velazquez, and a spokesperson for his or her political celebration, the ruling Colorado Celebration, didn’t instantly reply to requests for touch upon Thursday. On native radio, Velazquez referred to as the accusations false.
The sanctions crank up stress on the conservative Colorado celebration simply three months earlier than presidential elections, scheduled for April. Colorado candidate Santiago Pena is up in opposition to Efrain Alegre, a rival representing a center-left coalition.
The election is predicted to be shut, with points at stake together with Paraguay’s recognition of Taiwan. Alegre is in favor of chopping ties so as to enhance exports to China.
The Treasury on Thursday mentioned Cartes joined the Colorado Celebration in 2009, offering monetary help and incentives to push members to eradicate a requirement that will have blocked him from working because the celebration’s presidential candidate.
He additionally paid celebration members as much as $10,000 every to assist his candidacy forward of the 2013 election, the Treasury mentioned.
As president, Cartes made month-to-month money funds to legislators of as a lot as $50,000 in change for his or her backing, the Treasury alleged.
In 2017, Cartes pledged $1 million to purchase legislators’ votes in an unsuccessful bid to go a constitutional reform that will have allowed him to run for a second time period, the Treasury mentioned.
After leaving workplace, Cartes continued to bribe legislators, in line with the Treasury.
The Treasury mentioned each Cartes and Velazquez have ties to members of Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, branded a terrorist group by Washington. It mentioned Hezbollah has “repeatedly” held occasions to change favors and bribes in Paraguay, which has a big Lebanese group.
Velazquez informed native radio that the allegations of ties to Hezbollah had been an “invention.”
The sanctions imply all property and pursuits in property of Cartes and Velazquez in the USA are blocked, the Treasury mentioned.
Reporting by Kylie Madry and Brendan O’Boyle; Extra reporting by Daniela Desantis; Enhancing by David Gregorio and Rosalba O’Brien
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