People take to the streets to protest impeachment in Asunción.
Protesters gathered in front of the public television station in defense of democracy.
Renata Giraldi
Special Correspondent for Agência Brasil
Asunción (Paraguay) – Supporters of Fernando Lugo, former president of Paraguay, held another day of protests against his today (24). impeachmentGathered in front of the headquarters of the Public Television station in downtown Asunción, the Paraguayan capital, they sang the National anthemThey unfurled banners in support of Lugo and criticizing the new government, and vowed to keep the demonstrations peaceful. The Paraguayan flag was prominently displayed during the protest.
“We are here in defense of democracy. It is a peaceful reaction to this whole absurd [political] situation. We are here exercising our citizenship,” said Ceulie Vukty, leader of one of the youth movements in the protest, while coordinating the speeches with moments of theatrical and musical performances.
Lugo's supporters condemn the way the process was conducted. impeachment of the former president. In less than 24 hours, the Paraguayan Chamber and Senate approved the so-called "political trial," alleging "poor performance of duties," and the former president was sentenced to leave power.
Lugo's political situation worsened due to a confrontation between police officers and farmers in the northeast of the country on the 15th. The confrontation resulted in 16 deaths. Opposition politicians believe Lugo did not handle the situation correctly, allowing the violence and, consequently, the deaths.
A tent of camping A sign reading "Embassy of Brazil" was erected in the center of the protest. According to the event organizers, the idea is to show that Brazil condemns Lugo's removal from office because it supports democracy and its institutions.
However, in the streets of Asunción and the surrounding areas, opinions are divided regarding Lugo's removal from office and the inauguration of the new president, Federico Franco. Franco's allies believe order will be restored in the country.
Lugo's supporters say that democracy was disrespected because a directly elected president was removed from power. The Paraguayan Constitution allows for this. impeachment and does not impose deadlines for the process to take place.
“What we are experiencing today in Paraguay is a very delicate and complicated situation. We are mobilizing because we cannot accept what happened to [former] President Lugo, in the way it happened,” said accounting assistant Cristian Ríos, who took advantage of his day off from work to participate in the protest.