PARAGUAY: SECOND VICE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE

UNCLAS ASUNCION 001378 SIPDIS STATE FOR INR-B, WHA/BSC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PINR PGOV PREL PA SUBJECT: PARAGUAY: SECOND VICE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE MODESTO LUIS GUGGIARI ZAVALA BIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION ¶1. (SBU) Modesto Guggiari was elected in the 2003 general elections as a Senator representing the Authentic Radical Liberal Party (PLRA). In June 2005, Guggiari broke ranks with Liberal Party leadership in forming a coalition with the governing Colorado Party that resulted in his gaining election as the second Vice-President of the Senate and President of the Council of Magistrates in exchange for his support of a Colorado candidate to the Supreme Court. Facing the threat of Liberal Party sanctions, Guggiari declared in early October 2005 his decision to terminate his participation in the Colorado coalition. Guggiari is the President of the Senate Departmental, Municipal, District, and Regional Issues Commission. In addition, he is a member of the Senate Commission of Legislation, Codification, Justice and Labor, and the Senate Economic Development and Latin American Integration Commission. As President of the powerful Council of Magistrates, he assumes a key role in the selection of prosecutors and judges. ¶2. (U) Prior to his election as Senator, Guggiari was governor of Concepcion Department from 1998-2003. He also represented the Liberal Party as a Deputy in the legislature, serving from 1993-1998. As a Deputy, he served on several commissions, including as President to the Commission of Petitions, Powers, and Regulations and on the Foreign Relations Committee. ¶3. (SBU) A lawyer by training, Guggari received a degree in law from the National University of Asuncion in 1978. While the Liberal Party generally espouses classic libertarian free market principles, its membership encompasses the full political spectrum. Guggiari subscribes to policies best described as social democratic. ¶4. (U) Senator Guggari was born on November 11, 1953 and has three children. He is currently separated from his wife. He speaks Spanish, Portuguese, and Guarani. JOHNSON