US bans three more Paraguayan politicians from entering the country

The United States banned Paraguayan politicians Édgar Melgarejo, Jorge Bogarín, and Vicente Ferreira from entering the country for allegedly being involved in corruption cases, the State Department announced on Thursday (23).

This sanction is in addition to those already imposed by the Government of Joe Biden on other Paraguayan officials such as the current vice-president of the country, Hugo Velázquez, or former President Horacio Cartes (2013-2018).

Édgar Melgarejo was head of Paraguay’s National Directorate of Civil Aeronautics; Jorge Bogarín is a member of the Jury for the Impeachment of Magistrates, and Vicente Ferreira currently serves as a judicial official.

US State Department deputy spokesman Vedant Patel stated that these sanctions make “Melgarejo, Bogarín, and Ferreira, and their immediate family members ineligible to enter the United States” due to their “participation in acts of corruption”.

The US diplomacy spokesman warned that “there are consequences for those who disrupt the progress of strengthening democracy through corrupt activities” in Paraguay.

“The United States stands with the people of Paraguay in support of democracy and the rule of law and will continue to promote accountability for those who abuse public power for personal gain,” he sentenced.

With information from DW