PARAGUAY: FIRST VICE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE

UNCLAS ASUNCION 001381 SIPDIS STATE FOR INR-B, WHA/BSC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PINR PGOV PREL PA SUBJECT: PARAGUAY: FIRST VICE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE ALEJANDRO VELAZQUEZ UGARTE ¶1. (SBU) Senator Velazquez, a key founder of the National Union for Ethical Citizens Party (UNACE),was elected as a Senator representing UNACE in the 2003 general elections. However, in 2005, Velazquez renounced his affiliation with UNACE and returned to the Colorado Party. Velazquez served as President of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee until June 2005 when he was elected Vice-President of the Senate. Velazquez serves as Vice-President to the Commission of Economy, Development and Latin American Economic Integration, and is a member to the Joint Parliamentary Commission of MERCOSUR. Velazquez is proudly pro-U.S. and has supported the U.S. on a number of legislative initiatives. ¶2. (SBU) Prior to his election as Senator, Velazquez supported the Colorado Party as a member of the Colorado Reconciliation Movement and served as Chief of Mobilization, Transport, Press and Propaganda for the Colorado Movement. He later worked as a spokesman for the UNACE Presidential candidacy of General Lino Oviedo. ¶3. (U) Before entering politics, Velazquez worked in the public sector as a member of the Council of Administration within the Ministry of Industry and Commerce from 1976-1990. He also served as President of the Paraguayan Tennis Association from 1981-1987. ¶4. (U) Senator Velazquez was born Quyquyho, Paraguay on February 9, 1939. He is married with five children. He speaks Spanish. JOHNSON