Article author:
Associated Press
Buenos Aires (AP) — Paraguay's Vice President Hugo Velázquez Moreno said Thursday by offering a bribe to a public official who said he would not resign.
"I have decided not to resign as Vice-President of the Republic because, like other Paraguayan citizens, I am a constitutional defendant against due process and basically the presumption of innocence." It's protected by rights," Velázquez said. A statement published on his social his media account.
Velázquez is still stepping down from the presidential campaign. The number two in the administration of President Mario Abdo Benítez, until he was included on the U.S. list, was considered a front-runner to become the Colorado Party's presidential candidate in next year's election. said he decided not to resign after being confirmed by the Attorney General's Office that he was not under investigation in Paraguay. He also has not received any information indicating that he is under investigation in the United States.
The offering of bribes was "consistent with a clear pattern of corruption," in this case "obstructing an investigation that threatens the Vice President and his financial interests."
Velázquez denied any wrongdoing.
The Vice President said Abdo supported his decision not to resign. Last week, Abdo celebrated his swift decision to step down after Velázquez was accused.
