Paraguay President Fernando Lugo is on the verge of dismissal

Asuncion, June 21, 2012

Paraguay Lower House approved an impeachment against President Fernando Lugo for “dereliction in his duties of public official and poor performance of his duties.”

The move comes a week after a violent eviction of peasants by the police, where seven officers and nine farmers were killed and at least 100 people were injured.

With this approval ran strong rumors about a possible resignation by Lugo even be defined in the next few hours, but the president himself came out to deny these versions, ensuring that he will face the case against him.

“You will fine me always fighting for social justice and peace among Paraguayans” the president said. “I will not resign,” he added.

The incident ended with the impeachment, occurred in the town of Curuguaty about 380 kilometers northeast of Asuncion.

At least 321 police arrived in helicopters and entered to Morumbi hacienda, property of the well-known businessman and politician Paraguayan Blas Riquelme, a court order to evict more than 150 occupants.

Given the balance left by the bloody eviction, Interior Minister Carlos Filizzola was forced to resign days later.