Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASUNCION667
2009-12-01 19:45:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asuncion
Cable title:
THE PRESIDENT'S CHILDREN: RUMOR AND REALITY
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHAC #0667 3351945 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O R 011945Z DEC 09 FM AMEMBASSY ASUNCION TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0219 INFO MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL RUCQSAB/USSOCOM INTEL MACDILL AFB FL RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASUNCION 000667
SIPDIS
WHA/FO CMCMULLEN, WHA/BSC MDRUCKER, BFRIEDMAN, MDASCHBACH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2034/12/01
TAGS: PGOV PREL PA
SUBJECT: THE PRESIDENT'S CHILDREN: RUMOR AND REALITY
REF: ASUNCION 229
CLASSIFIED BY: Perry Holloway, DCM; REASON: 1.4(B),(D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASUNCION 000667
SIPDIS
WHA/FO CMCMULLEN, WHA/BSC MDRUCKER, BFRIEDMAN, MDASCHBACH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2034/12/01
TAGS: PGOV PREL PA
SUBJECT: THE PRESIDENT'S CHILDREN: RUMOR AND REALITY
REF: ASUNCION 229
CLASSIFIED BY: Perry Holloway, DCM; REASON: 1.4(B),(D)
1. (C) SUMMARY: President Fernando Lugo refused to respond to
new allegations that he has two additional children. His advisors
and cabinet members refused comment, repeatedly citing the
"private" nature of the issue. Colorado politicians and other Lugo
detractors are attempting to use the paternity issue and charges of
nepotism to weaken his power. The continued drip-drip-drip of new
revelations continues to draw press attention and public criticism,
but will likely soon blow over. END SUMMARY.
2. (U) The latest revelations stem from Lugo's attendance at
the November 21 wedding of Fatima del Rocio Rojas. The president's
niece called several press conferences to announce that Rojas, now
22 years old, is actually Lugo's daughter by Teresita Rojas. The
press also seized upon the presumed son-in-law's political
appointment to a plum job at the Yacyreta Binational Entity in
August 2009 as signs of nepotism. Independently, Representative
Olga Ferriera de Lopez alleges she was contacted by a 23-year-old
claiming to be pregnant with Lugo's child.
3. (U) Lugo accepted legal responsibility for a child for the
first time in April 2009 (reftel.) Later in April 2009, Benigna
Leguizamon demanded paternal recognition for her son Lucas
Fernando, born September 9, 2002 when she was 20 years old. A
paternity case is also pending for Juan Pablo, born December 5,
2007 to then 37-year-old Damiana Hortensia Moran, whose husband was
working abroad in Spain when her son was conceived. Her lawyer
called a press conference November 24 to exhibit the entry and exit
stamps in his passports. Lugo has not recognized either child, but
promised to abide by court rulings and submit to DNA tests if
required. To date, Lugo has not taken a paternity test.
4. (C) COMMENT: Lugo's paternity problems continue to grow,
with women particularly appalled at what is revealing itself to be
a lifelong pattern of behavior. As the rumors of even more
children spread, Lugo's ability to maintain a grip on a weakened
administration diminishes along with his already minimal influence
over Congress. In addition, a Gallup poll released in mid-November
shows Lugo's popularity has fallen to 25%. These newest
allegations will continue to make him a lightening rod for press
attention and public criticism, but will likely soon blow, unless
more cases surface. END COMMENT.
AYALDE
SIPDIS
WHA/FO CMCMULLEN, WHA/BSC MDRUCKER, BFRIEDMAN, MDASCHBACH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2034/12/01
TAGS: PGOV PREL PA
SUBJECT: THE PRESIDENT'S CHILDREN: RUMOR AND REALITY
REF: ASUNCION 229
CLASSIFIED BY: Perry Holloway, DCM; REASON: 1.4(B),(D)
1. (C) SUMMARY: President Fernando Lugo refused to respond to
new allegations that he has two additional children. His advisors
and cabinet members refused comment, repeatedly citing the
"private" nature of the issue. Colorado politicians and other Lugo
detractors are attempting to use the paternity issue and charges of
nepotism to weaken his power. The continued drip-drip-drip of new
revelations continues to draw press attention and public criticism,
but will likely soon blow over. END SUMMARY.
2. (U) The latest revelations stem from Lugo's attendance at
the November 21 wedding of Fatima del Rocio Rojas. The president's
niece called several press conferences to announce that Rojas, now
22 years old, is actually Lugo's daughter by Teresita Rojas. The
press also seized upon the presumed son-in-law's political
appointment to a plum job at the Yacyreta Binational Entity in
August 2009 as signs of nepotism. Independently, Representative
Olga Ferriera de Lopez alleges she was contacted by a 23-year-old
claiming to be pregnant with Lugo's child.
3. (U) Lugo accepted legal responsibility for a child for the
first time in April 2009 (reftel.) Later in April 2009, Benigna
Leguizamon demanded paternal recognition for her son Lucas
Fernando, born September 9, 2002 when she was 20 years old. A
paternity case is also pending for Juan Pablo, born December 5,
2007 to then 37-year-old Damiana Hortensia Moran, whose husband was
working abroad in Spain when her son was conceived. Her lawyer
called a press conference November 24 to exhibit the entry and exit
stamps in his passports. Lugo has not recognized either child, but
promised to abide by court rulings and submit to DNA tests if
required. To date, Lugo has not taken a paternity test.
4. (C) COMMENT: Lugo's paternity problems continue to grow,
with women particularly appalled at what is revealing itself to be
a lifelong pattern of behavior. As the rumors of even more
children spread, Lugo's ability to maintain a grip on a weakened
administration diminishes along with his already minimal influence
over Congress. In addition, a Gallup poll released in mid-November
shows Lugo's popularity has fallen to 25%. These newest
allegations will continue to make him a lightening rod for press
attention and public criticism, but will likely soon blow, unless
more cases surface. END COMMENT.
AYALDE