International report

Land rights and massacre in Paraguay

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Audio 02:45
Paraguayan farmers and activists demonstrate against the justice system as they commemorate the first anniversary of the clashes between farmers and police, Asuncion, 15 June, 2013
Paraguayan farmers and activists demonstrate against the justice system as they commemorate the first anniversary of the clashes between farmers and police, Asuncion, 15 June, 2013 Reuters/Jorge Adorno
By: Ed Stocker

Paraguay recently elected a new president, the right-wing millionaire Horacio Cartes from the Colorado Party. Cartes will take over from an interim Liberal government. The new president, who assumes office in August, is the first elected head of state since the toppling of leftist ex-bishop Fernando Lugo. Last June, Lugo was impeached by parliament and ousted in less than 24 hours for "poor performance in his duties". The reason? A bloody massacre in Curuguaty, east of the capital Asunción, in which 11 landless peasants and six policemen lost their lives. The scandal, and the ensuing investigation, has reopened old social wounds.