LUGO SACKS MILITARY LEADERSHIP; U.S. DONATES MILITARY

UNCLAS ASUNCION 000637 SENSITIVE SIPDIS WHA/FO CMCMULLEN, WHA/BSC MDRUCKER, BFRIEDMAN, MDASCHBACH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MCAP MASS PGOV PREL PA SUBJECT: LUGO SACKS MILITARY LEADERSHIP; U.S. DONATES MILITARY EQUIPMENT REF: ASUNCION 562; ASUNCION 611 ¶1. (U) President Lugo replaced several military service chiefs November 4, for the third time during his presidency. Lugo spoke of "pockets of disloyalty" in the military November 3, but did not publically provide a rational for the changes to the senior uniformed commanders of the Army, Air Force, and Navy. The anticipated replacement of Cibar Benitez as commander of the armed forces did not occur, but is still expected before the end of the year. Lugo personally selected the new chiefs in contrast to previous changes he merely ratified. ¶2. (U) Separately, and prior to the personnel changes, Lugo and Ambassador Ayalde presided November 4 over the transfer-of-equipment ceremony for the Joint Special Forces Battalion (BCFE) (reftels A and B). Press reports relayed the Ambassador's clear denial of U.S. involvement in a possible coup attempt against Lugo as alleged by Venezuelan legislators. Extensive press coverage also highlighted the show of American support for Lugo's government in time of crisis, as well as the Ambassador's comments that while the U.S. had provided training and equipment for the BCFE, its missions and orders are the exclusive responsibility of Paraguay. ¶3. (SBU) COMMENT: Post does not currently believe there is any coup d'etat threat to Lugo from the military. Lugo's frequent changes in military leadership are unlikely to win him friends within the armed forces, but they will ensure its continued obedience to elected civilian leadership. This change also serves as a concrete response by Lugo to concerns about Paraguay's security situation. END COMMENT. AYALDE