Leader of the UNACE faction of the Colorado Party (National Republican Association, ANR) since Lino Oviedo left the country [PRY36991.E]

Although Lino Oviedo reportedly fled Paraguay at the end of March 1999 and remained in Argentina (Chicago Tribune 4 Apr. 1999), he described himself during a radio broadcast from Argentina as "UNACE (National Union of Ethical Colorados) president" in May 2000 (CVN TV Summary 19 May 2000). In June 2000 Oviedo "appointed attorney Carlos Galeano Perrone to replace him as the head of [UNACE]" (EFE 13 June 2000). Galeano was previously "responsible for the international affairs of UNACE" and was appointed leader by Oviedo with the support of UNACE's "principal leaders" (ibid.).

As late as 24 April 2001 Galeano represented UNACE in the upcoming leadership contest of the Colorado Party (formally known as the National Republican Association, ANR), competing against the leaders of other factions of the Colorado Party (La Nación 24 Apr. 2001). Earlier in the year, UNACE had registered Galeano as the faction's candidate for president of the board (presidente de la junta) of the party and architect Hilario Jara as its nominee for intendente (municipal government) candidate of the party (ABC Color 28 Feb. 2001).

Although Oviedo has been under arrest in Brasil after fleeing Argentina and remaining a fugitive for six months, a 14 February 2001 AP article stated that according to Miguel Fernandez, Oviedo's spokesman in Asunción, Oviedo continued to manage UNACE matters from his detention in Brasil, his orders reportedly received through recordings and by telephone. The report adds that Oviedo continues to exert influence within the Colorado Party, and names Carlos Chilavert as one of his "active political agents" (uno de los activos operadores políticos de Oviedo) (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References


ABC Color [Asuncion]. 28 February 2001. "Candidato oviedista puede quedar afuera." (Google cache) http://www.abc.com.py/pol07.htm [Accessed 23 Apr. 2001]

Associated Press (AP). 14 April 2001. "Afirman que Oviedo aún influye en el Partido Colorado del Paraguay." (Yahoo Spain) http://es.news.yahoo.com/020114/5/soit.html [Accessed 23 Apr. 2001]

Chicago Tribune. 4 April 1999. "Paraguay Asks Arrest of Exiled Coup Leader; Ex-Army Chief Wanted in Protester Slayings." (NEXIS)

CVN TV [Buenos Aires, in Spanish]. 14 May 2000. "Oviedo Denies Responsibility for Military Uprising." (BBC Summary of World Broadcasts/NEXIS)

EFE News Service. 13 June 2000. "Paraguay3/4Oviedo Appoints Attorney to Lead UNACE." (NEXIS)

La Nación [Asuncion]. 24 April 2001. "Candidato oviedista desafió a un debate público a Duarte Frutos." http://www.lanacion.com.py/politica.htm [Accessed 24 Apr. 2001]