US embassy cable - 05ASUNCION1332

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASUNCION 001332 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/21/2015 
TAGS: KCRM, KWMN, PHUM, SMIG, PREL, PA 
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY: TIP TIER 2 ACTION PLAN 
 
REF: STATE 191670 
 
Classified By: PolOff Sterling Tilley, reasons 1.4(b) and (d). 
 
1. (U) On 10/18, POLOFF delivered reftel points on the 
Paraguay TIP Tier 2 Action Plan to Julio Peralta, Director 
of International Organizations within the Ministry of 
Foreign Affairs.  Peralta indicated that he would review 
and discuss the issue with his colleagues at the Ministry 
of Foreign Affairs and the respective governmental entities 
with responsibilities on this topic. 
 
2. (SBU) On 10/19, the DCM spoke with Ruben Candia 
Amarilla, the new Attorney General, about the Villarica TIP 
case.  In December 2004, Raul Antonio Maidana Duarte and 
Mario Ramon Gonzalez Caceres were convicted for their 
involvement in the Villarica trafficking case of Lurde 
Resquin to Spain.  That conviction was overturned on appeal 
in April 2005 by a vote of 2-1 on the grounds that the 
defendants should be tried in Spain where the trafficked 
woman suffered the ultimate effects of the crime.  This 
decision is pending final resolution by the Supreme Court's 
Penal Court in the near future. 
 
3. (SBU) The DCM explained that the Villarica conviction 
represented the first conviction of defendents in Paraguay 
on trafficking charges, reflecting well on Paraguay and 
contributing to its upgrade from the Tier 2 Watch List. 
However, the decision to overturn this conviction on appeal 
conversely reflects poorly on Paraguay and sends an 
unhelpful message about Paraguay's commitment to combat 
trafficking.  The DCM stressed that it could also affect 
Paraguay's Tier status.  Mr. Candia replied that he would 
look into the case. 
 
4. (SBU) In addition, Post has twice conveyed these 
concerns to Supreme Court Judge Pucheta who is President of 
the Criminal Sala as well as to Teresa Martinez, a 
prosecutor who is the point person on trafficking cases. 
We have encouraged GOP officials to do what they can to 
ensure charges are reinstated and that Paraguay pursues 
aggressive prosecution of other cases.  Post will continue 
to communicate TIP Action Plan points with other 
governmental agencies with TIP responsibilities. 
KEANE