Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CARACAS562
2008-04-23 15:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Caracas
Cable title:
BRV HAILS PARAGUAYAN ELECTION OF LUGO
how-toVZCZCXRO5937 PP RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHCV #0562 1141517 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 231517Z APR 08 FM AMEMBASSY CARACAS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1005 INFO RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHWH/WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS
C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 000562
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
USSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/22/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PA VE
SUBJECT: BRV HAILS PARAGUAYAN ELECTION OF LUGO
REF: ASUNCION 000236
Classified By: Daniel Lawton, Acting Political Counselor,
for Reason 1.4(d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 000562
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
USSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/22/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PA VE
SUBJECT: BRV HAILS PARAGUAYAN ELECTION OF LUGO
REF: ASUNCION 000236
Classified By: Daniel Lawton, Acting Political Counselor,
for Reason 1.4(d).
1. (C) Summary: President Hugo Chavez and the Bolivarian
Republic of Venezuela (BRV) lauded the April 20 election of
Fernando Lugo as Paraguay's next president. The BRV has
tried to re-package Lugo's victory to assert that "Bolivarianism
is on the march." In his congratulatory
message to Lugo, Chavez cited "the common struggles of their
two peoples" as a basis to work together in building UNASUR,
Chavez' Bolivarian vision of a Union of South American
Nations. End Summary.
2. (SBU) Pro-government daily "VEA" declared the recent
Paraguayan election a triumph that strengthens Latin American
integration. The tabloid's front page displayed a map with
the smiling faces of nine leftist leaders (Peru and Colombia
were not included). Inside, "VEA's" editorial cartoon showed
happy Venezuelans declaring that "Bolivar's sword is marching
on." The paper's profile of Lugo's political career
headlined that the ex-bishop "knocked down Paraguay's
oligarchy." The feature stressed Lugo's confrontation with
the Catholic Church over his political activities, but
omitted his request for forgiveness for causing the Church "such
pain."
3. (SBU) The BRV Ministry of Foreign Affairs released an
April 20 communiquQ of Chavez' congratulatory call to Lugo,
in which Chavez recognized the "democratic journey " and the "political
maturity" of his Paraguayan brothers. Chavez also
expressed his admiration for Marshal Francisco Solano Lopez,
Paraguay's 19th century war leader. Chavez reportedly closed
the conversation by pledging Venezuela's desire to work
together in the shared development of both their peoples.
Sandra Oblitas, one of five rectors of Venezuela's National
Electoral Council (CNE),and who also served as an election
observer in Paraguay, congratulated Paraguay's electoral body
for "clear and transparent" reporting.
4. (C) Comment: The BRV's reaction to Lugo's victory does
not refer to any domestic factors that contributed to Lugo's
victory (Reftel). Nevertheless, attempts by Chavez and the
BRV's propaganda machine to paint it as part of a greater
Bolivarian movement will likely generate little traction in
Venezuela given growing public discontent over domestic
issues like crime and inflation. Interestingly, Chavez,
already widely criticized for his foreign assistance
largesse, did not immediately pledge money or development
projects for Paraguay's new government. End Comment.
DUDDY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
USSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/22/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PA VE
SUBJECT: BRV HAILS PARAGUAYAN ELECTION OF LUGO
REF: ASUNCION 000236
Classified By: Daniel Lawton, Acting Political Counselor,
for Reason 1.4(d).
1. (C) Summary: President Hugo Chavez and the Bolivarian
Republic of Venezuela (BRV) lauded the April 20 election of
Fernando Lugo as Paraguay's next president. The BRV has
tried to re-package Lugo's victory to assert that "Bolivarianism
is on the march." In his congratulatory
message to Lugo, Chavez cited "the common struggles of their
two peoples" as a basis to work together in building UNASUR,
Chavez' Bolivarian vision of a Union of South American
Nations. End Summary.
2. (SBU) Pro-government daily "VEA" declared the recent
Paraguayan election a triumph that strengthens Latin American
integration. The tabloid's front page displayed a map with
the smiling faces of nine leftist leaders (Peru and Colombia
were not included). Inside, "VEA's" editorial cartoon showed
happy Venezuelans declaring that "Bolivar's sword is marching
on." The paper's profile of Lugo's political career
headlined that the ex-bishop "knocked down Paraguay's
oligarchy." The feature stressed Lugo's confrontation with
the Catholic Church over his political activities, but
omitted his request for forgiveness for causing the Church "such
pain."
3. (SBU) The BRV Ministry of Foreign Affairs released an
April 20 communiquQ of Chavez' congratulatory call to Lugo,
in which Chavez recognized the "democratic journey " and the "political
maturity" of his Paraguayan brothers. Chavez also
expressed his admiration for Marshal Francisco Solano Lopez,
Paraguay's 19th century war leader. Chavez reportedly closed
the conversation by pledging Venezuela's desire to work
together in the shared development of both their peoples.
Sandra Oblitas, one of five rectors of Venezuela's National
Electoral Council (CNE),and who also served as an election
observer in Paraguay, congratulated Paraguay's electoral body
for "clear and transparent" reporting.
4. (C) Comment: The BRV's reaction to Lugo's victory does
not refer to any domestic factors that contributed to Lugo's
victory (Reftel). Nevertheless, attempts by Chavez and the
BRV's propaganda machine to paint it as part of a greater
Bolivarian movement will likely generate little traction in
Venezuela given growing public discontent over domestic
issues like crime and inflation. Interestingly, Chavez,
already widely criticized for his foreign assistance
largesse, did not immediately pledge money or development
projects for Paraguay's new government. End Comment.
DUDDY