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