US Ambassador to Paraguay declared that organized crime puts democracies in the region at risk

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The US Ambassador to Paraguay, Marc Ostfield, warned on Wednesday that corruption and organized crime put democracies at risk and called for strengthening the fight against these crimes.

“The reality is that corruption and crime weaken democracy, and there is a loss of faith in democratic institutions in many countries, in Paraguay and also in my country,” said the diplomat in declarations to Monumental radio.

In this context, the US delegate considered that the fight against corruption, money laundering, and financing of terrorism “is key not only to stop crime but also to strengthen democratic institutions”.

Ostfield, who arrived in Paraguay last February 25, pointed out as his priority the fight against corruption and the collaboration in this matter between the governments of Washington and Asuncion.

“We are going to continue with the designations of significantly corrupt people when there is evidence,” he said. In that sense, he declined to refer to “specific cases”, but he did ratify his government’s commitment to collaborate with the Paraguayan government “in this fight against corruption”.

On the other hand, the ambassador highlighted the importance of trade between the two countries and referred particularly to the possibility of Paraguay exporting meat to the US market. “Our Department of Agriculture is analyzing the possibilities of beef exports to the United States,” said the diplomatic delegate.

He considered this matter a “priority” for the Department of Agriculture but clarified that it is a “scientific process” the authorization for the entry of this product to his country.

“I cannot predict the decision or a timetable for the decision, but I can say that they have a commitment from my country to do something in a process as quickly as possible,” he said, given the impact that Paraguay has suffered due to the suspension of these exports to Russia.

With information from EFE