President Lugo fires Paraguay's military chiefs, a day after denying worries about coup

By PEDRO SERVIN , Associated Press

Last update: November 4, 2009 - 7:39 PM

ASUNCION, Paraguay - President Fernando Lugo fired Paraguay's military chiefs Wednesday, a day after denying he had worries about a coup amid calls for his impeachment.

In a statement given to journalists at the presidential palace, Lugo named new commanders for the army, air force and navy without explaining his reasons. The new chiefs will assume their posts Thursday, said the statement signed by the president.

There was no immediate reaction from the military or from the political opposition, which controls Congress.

The new military commanders must be approved by the Senate. Lugo did not immediately submit a formal request for their approval Wednesday, but he did schedule promotions and retirements for other military officers for Nov. 11, meaning more changes could happen soon.

The shuffling in the military command came only one day after Lugo, a left-leaning former Roman Catholic bishop, publicly dismissed speculation about a possible coup as he struggles with Congress over implementing economic and social changes.

"I can assure you as commander in chief of the armed forces that, institutionally, there is no danger of a military coup," he said Tuesday when asked about coup rumors. "There could be small military groups that are connected to or could be used by the political class, but institutionally, the military does not show any intent of reversing the process of democratic consolidation."

The rumors were apparently prompted by tanks seen headed from Paraguay's Brazilian border toward the capital. It turned out the tanks were simply returning after maintenance work in Brazil.

Lugo's firing of the military chiefs was announced only hours after U.S. Ambassador Liliane Ayalde delivered $1.4 million in equipment for a Paraguayan military anti-terror squad equipped with high-tech communications, weapons and night-vision gear and bulletproof vests.

"This ceremony shows once again that the United States remains completely committed to its close alliance with Paraguay and we will continue working with the government of Paraguay and President Lugo to advance the goals of professionalizing the Armed Forces," Ayalde said.

Since winning the presidency last year and ending 61 years of domination by the conservative Colorado Party, Lugo has been trying to push reforms that aim to benefit Paraguay's numerous poor.

He has criticized an elite class that "sits comfortably in air-conditioned offices," while the poor "survive on just one meal a day if they are lucky ... without safe drinking water, surrounded by misery."

Lugo's rivals have been searching for ways to force him about of office before his term ends in August 2013.

Last week, a majority of lawmakers threatened to mount an impeachment trial over comments he allegedly made in a poor neighborhood that some interpreted as a call for class warfare. Lugo denied saying that.

Amid his troubles with the opposition, Lugo also drawn criticism from some supporters who are becoming disillusioned by his failure to find ways of using the power of the presidency to overcome the opposition.

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