In representation of Horacio Cartes, the lawyer Pedro Ovelar categorically rejected the accusations of the United States ambassador, Marc Osfield, for lacking foundations and evidence. He indicated that it is a unilateral decision, without the right to defense and that it violates the Constitution.
In a press conference held this afternoon, lawyer Pedro Ovelar spoke on behalf of Horacio Cartes, about the announcements made this afternoon at the United States Embassy.
Related note: United States announces financial actions
“We consider the accusations unfair and lacking in foundations and evidence.the sanctions come from a unilateral decision, without the right to defense and prior process, based on events that occurred in Paraguay, not in the United States,” Ovelar said.
It indicated that the facts are presented as “supposedly corroborated”but do not share or publicly expose the data and they refuse to provide the alleged evidence.
This procedure, according to Ovelar,attempt against article 17 of the National Constitution of Paraguay, which establishes the presumption of innocence in any process from which a penalty or sanction may be derived and stipulates the prior and detailed communication of the imputation.
“We are before a dark process, where they do not share with anyone the evidence they claim to havewe demand that they present these tests (…) They have been denied not only to Horacio Cartes, who is a common citizen, but also to the Public Ministry”
From the perception of Ovelar, with the withdrawal of the visa and the designation of the Department of Statethey tried to destroy Horacio Cartes politically, but they did not succeed, since he was legitimately elected president of the Colorado Party.
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“With this sanction they will try to affect you financially, however, with the defense that will be exercised in Paraguay and in the United States, we are sure that those sanctions will be revoked”, he asserted.
A team of lawyers from a prestigious law firm in Washington works with another group from Paraguay, in the procedures to demonstrate the absolute legality of Horacio Cartes’ activities, both in business and politics. The process is very advanced, according to Ovelar.
“Horacio Cartes is a person unjustly persecuted, in a purely political electoral context, however, he is available to the authorities, through his representatives, to make the necessary clarifications and defenses,” Ovelar reported.
CARTES GROUP JOBS ARE SAFE
The activities of the Cartes Group they will continue their normal course and all the people who work in companies and who are worried about their income today can rest easy. “I assure you that jobs will not be affected,” he stressed.
