Reading Time: < 1 minute
Tags: Fernando Lugo, Hugo Chavez, Mercosur
Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo made a passionate call to Congress on Saturday for legislators to approve Venezuela’s entry into the Mercosur trade bloc. “Let’s think seriously in terms of the future…this will inevitably benefit both economically and commercially our country [Paraguay],” Lugo announced.
He also called on lawmakers not to limit a country of millions “to only a name,” referring to Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez. Paraguayan Vice-President Federico is in favor of the trade agreement as long as Chávez is no longer president of Venezuela.
Paraguay is the last hurdle to Venezuela’s joining the group. The three other permanent Mercosur members—Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay—have already voted in favor of its inclusion.
Like what you've read? Subscribe to AQ for more.
Any opinions expressed in this piece do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Quarterly or its publishers.
