(From Cubanews “Times on Line,” 4/23/08 and GRANMA, 4/22/08, referred by Walter Tillow.)

On April 24 Fernando Lugo, formerly “Bishop of the Poor,” led his seven party Patriotic Alliance for Change to the presidency with 41% of the vote, thus ending 60 years of rule by the Colorado Party. His opposition coalition included leftist unions, indigenous people and poor farmers. He has called for land reform and help for the poor. To some he has aroused fears of a return to liberation theology in Latin America. He also opposes a free trade agreement with the US.

He said, “I continue dreaming of a big homeland, of a United Latin America without borders that would be respected internationally…with the true native owners of this land…No more indigenous people dying of hunger, tuberculosis, or a lack of medical attention.”

In 2006 he led an opposition rally in Asuncion, resigned from the priesthood (which was at first refused by the Vatican).  He then declared for president, protesting President Duarte’s human rights abuses. He was suspended by the Vatican, and may now be defrocked.

(From AP 4/19/08). “The word ‘leftist’ is being used lately in Latin America and possibly with mistaken concepts,” Lugo said. “I believe in the self-determination of the people, in recovering one’s sovereignty and independence.”

(from UpsideDownWorld.org/main/content/view/1218/1)
“Fernando Armindo Lugo Mendez…taught in a rural school…missionary in Ecuador…ten years studying at the Vatican…appointed head of the Divine Order in Paraguay. In 1994 he became Bishop of…San Pedro.” Three of his brothers were exiled by the Stroessner dictatorship.

In 2003 Duarte Frutos became president, allying himself with the US. “According to the Council on Hemispheric Affairs, Washington lavished Paraguay with democratization projects (read: military training)…intimidating the armed peasant groups into submission.”

 “Duarte’s Colordo Party had an “alliance with the axis during World War II.”