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Paraguay Senate leader defends ex-ambassador's U.S. tenure amid cost criticism
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Elections & Politics

Paraguay Senate leader defends ex-ambassador's U.S. tenure amid cost criticism

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Senate President Bachi Núñez defended Senator Gustavo Leite's tenure as ambassador to the U.S., stating he achieved more in 11 months than others in five years.
  • Núñez downplayed criticisms regarding the high cost and alleged lack of tangible results from Leite's diplomatic mission.
  • Leite, who has returned to his Senate seat, avoided questions about a request to former U.S. President Donald Trump to lift sanctions on Horacio Cartes.

Basilio “Bachi” Núñez, the President of the Senate, has publicly defended Senator Gustavo Leite, who recently concluded his term as Paraguay's ambassador to the United States. Núñez asserted that Leite accomplished more in his 11 months in the role than many ambassadors achieve in five years, dismissing criticisms about the mission's cost and effectiveness.

I take this opportunity to welcome him again, not only as a legislator but as a comrade in cause, in work, with whom we have been working since the government of Horacio Cartes.

— Basilio “Bachi” NúñezSenate President Bachi Núñez welcomed Senator Gustavo Leite back to the Senate.

Núñez welcomed Leite back to the Senate, describing him as a valuable "reinforcement" for the ruling party's bloc. He highlighted their shared political work since the Horacio Cartes administration. "I take this opportunity to welcome him again, not only as a legislator but as a comrade in cause, in work, with whom we have been working since the government of Horacio Cartes," Núñez stated during a press conference.

Responding to opposition Senator Rafael Filizzola's claims that Leite's mission cost approximately G. 2.1 billion (around US$ 346,000) without yielding concrete benefits for Paraguay in investment, trade, or employment, Núñez urged a comparative analysis. "I would ask those who are criticizing to compare with who was the ambassador in the government of Lugo in the United States. What do we have? What did he bring?" he challenged.

I would ask those who are criticizing to compare with who was the ambassador in the government of Lugo in the United States. What do we have? What did he bring?

— Basilio “Bachi” NúñezSenate President Bachi Núñez challenged critics to compare Gustavo Leite's performance with previous ambassadors.

Núñez also shared a personal observation from an official trip, stating, "On a trip I made to the United States, I saw the overloaded agenda we had with Leite. I said that in 11 months he did more than many did in five years." Meanwhile, Gustavo Leite himself has remained tight-lipped, notably avoiding direct answers when questioned about whether he had asked former U.S. President Donald Trump to lift sanctions against Horacio Cartes.

On a trip I made to the United States, I saw the overloaded agenda we had with Leite. I said that in 11 months he did more than many did in five years.

— Basilio “Bachi” NúñezSenate President Bachi Núñez defended Gustavo Leite's productivity during his tenure as ambassador.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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