Paraguayan President Horacio Cartes expressed solidarity with Venezuelan people and accused the government of the country of violating human rights.

“When human rights and fundamental liberties are not observed, just like it is happening in Venezuela right now, we cannot remain silent”,  Cartes said during a speech at the Congress apropos, the annual report of the Executive Office, El Universal reported.

 At the same time, Cartes emphasized that Paraguay is committed to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.

Paraguayan Foreign Minister Eladio Loizaga stated on Wednesday that the republic opposes to transfer to Venezuela the pro tempore presidency of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), due to the situation in the country. According to the FM, Uruguay and Argentina announced their decision to hold the ceremony in the presence of FMs of the countries of the bloc in July, without coordinating it with the authorities of Brazil and Paraguay.

Mercosur is a sub-regional bloc, comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela. Its associate countries are Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Suriname. In December presidency of the bloc passed from Paraguay to Uruguay.