Federico Franco

A German diplomat has warned that the EU will sign no trade agreements with Mercosur without Paraguay, which was suspended from the South American bloc after the country's president was ousted.

Latin American and European leaders agreed to boost bilateral trade as they ended a two-day summit overshadowed by a nightclub fire that killed at least 233 people in Brazil.

Anti-drug police in landlocked Paraguay said Sunday they seized 1,700 kilos (3,750 pounds) of cocaine at a remote site on the border with Brazil and arrested 19 suspects.

A demonstration in Asuncion, Paraguay on Saturday demanded that lawmakers approve a gay marriage law. ?A demonstration in Asuncion, Paraguay on Saturday demanded that lawmakers approve a gay marriage law. Over 500 activists participated in the 9th annual evening event, marching from the steps of Antequera to the Pantheon of Heroes, Asuncion's memorial to the country's fallen soldiers. Demonstrators carried signs with slogans such as ?Homosexuality is not a disease, it is enjoyed with protection.? Analia Gonzalez, one of the protesters, told the AP: ?This march is about gay and lesbian pride, but we are also demanding that Congress approve in the future a marriage law for people of the same sex.? ?And finally we are protesting the government of President Federico Franco because he approved by decree the use of genetically modified corn and cotton seeds,? he added. In 2010, soon after neighboring Argentina approved marriage equality, gay activists in Paraguay began lobbying for a similar

Landless farm workers pushing for reform in Paraguay are regaining momentum three months after the movement lost one of its biggest champions with the ouster of president Fernando Lugo.

Paraguay, rocked two months ago by the ouster of its president Fernando Lugo, will hold general elections in April 2013, the country's superior court of electoral justice said.

After a six-year wait, Venezuela was welcomed here Tuesday as a full member of Mercosur, turning the regional trading bloc into the world's fifth largest economy as well as a food and energy giant.

After a six-year wait, Venezuela formally joins the Mercosur regional trading bloc as a full member Tuesday at a Brasilia ceremony to be attended by its mercurial President Hugo Chavez.

Paraguay's ousted president Fernando Lugo said Monday he would take his case to a summit of South American leaders this week as the country's Supreme Court rejected an appeal of his dismissal.

Paraguay's new president was barred from participating in a summit of South American leaders next week, deepening the country's isolation over the ouster of his predecessor Fernando Lugo.

Paraguay's new president was barred Sunday from participating in a summit of South American presidents next week, deepening the country's isolation over the ouster of former president Fernando Lugo.

The lightning quick removal of Paraguayan president Fernando Lugo over a land dispute underscores bitter resentments here over land ownership, poverty and staggering inequality.

Paraguay's ousted leader Fernando Lugo on Sunday accused lawmakers of carrying out a "parliamentary coup d'etat" to force him from power, as international protests mounted over his abrupt removal.

Paraguay's new president, Federico Franco, said he would turn to his ousted predecessor Fernando Lugo to help extricate the country from a wave of international protests over his abrupt removal from power.

Paraguay's new president Federico Franco pledged to demonstrate "a clear commitment to democracy" Saturday amid a mounting international outcry over his predecessor's sudden ouster by a vote of Congress.

Paraguayan lawmakers have impeached president Fernando Lugo over his handling of a deadly land dispute, prompting an angry din across Latin America and refusals to recognize his successor.

Federico Franco was on a mission Saturday to repair ties with Paraguay's neighbors, countries that refused to recognize him as president after lawmakers impeached his predecessor over a bloody land dispute.

Paraguayan lawmakers have impeached president Fernando Lugo over his handling of a deadly land dispute, prompting an angry din across Latin America and refusals to recognize his successor.

Paraguayan lawmakers Friday impeached President Fernando Lugo over his handling of a deadly land dispute, sparking clashes between police and his supporters denouncing what they say was a coup.

Impeachment proceedings began Friday against Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo over his handling of a land dispute that left at least 17 people dead.