Paraguay snub adds to Maduro's problems
Paraguay's comprehensive humiliation of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro adds to the president's multiplying "things-to-fix" agenda as he tackles a faltering economy, opposition gains and diplomatic isolation.
Maduro, 50, was excluded from the pomp and circumstance of presidential inauguration ceremonies in Asuncion, the Paraguayan capital while fellow socialists and middle-of-the-road populists supped with multimillionaire President-elect Horacio Cartes as he was sworn in Thursday.
Analysts say the snub was payback for Maduro's alleged meddling in Paraguayan politics. He's accused of trying to incite Paraguayan military leaders to rise in defense of former socialist President Fernando Lugo after he was ousted in June last year.
Lugo was impeached by Paraguayan Congress and replaced with a caretaker government which held elections that brought the center-right Cartes to power. The impeachment, following 17 deaths in a land dispute, prompted the Mercosur regional pact to suspend Paraguay's membership and fast-track Venezuela's membership, which had been blocked by Paraguay.
Read more: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2013/08/15/Paraguay-snub-adds-to-Maduros-problems/UPI-73601376592221
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