US embassy cable - 05ASUNCION1378

UNCLAS ASUNCION 001378 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR INR-B, WHA/BSC 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PINR, PGOV, PREL, PA 
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY: SECOND VICE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE 
MODESTO LUIS GUGGIARI ZAVALA BIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION 
 
 
1.  (SBU) Modesto Guggiari was elected in the 2003 general 
elections as a Senator representing the Authentic Radical 
Liberal Party (PLRA).  In June 2005, Guggiari broke ranks 
with Liberal Party leadership in forming a coalition with the 
governing Colorado Party that resulted in his gaining 
election as the second Vice-President of the Senate and 
President of the Council of Magistrates in exchange for his 
support of a Colorado candidate to the Supreme Court.  Facing 
the threat of Liberal Party sanctions, Guggiari declared in 
early October 2005 his decision to terminate his 
participation in the Colorado coalition.  Guggiari is the 
President of the Senate Departmental, Municipal, District, 
and Regional Issues Commission.  In addition, he is a member 
of the Senate Commission of Legislation, Codification, 
Justice and Labor, and the Senate Economic Development and 
Latin American Integration Commission.   As President of the 
powerful Council of Magistrates, he assumes a key role in the 
selection of prosecutors and judges. 
 
2.  (U)  Prior to his election as Senator, Guggiari was 
governor of Concepcion Department from 1998-2003.  He also 
represented the Liberal Party as a Deputy in the legislature, 
serving from 1993-1998.  As a Deputy, he served on several 
commissions, including as President to the Commission of 
Petitions, Powers, and Regulations and on the Foreign 
Relations Committee. 
 
3.  (SBU)  A lawyer by training, Guggari received a degree in 
law from the National University of Asuncion in 1978.   While 
the Liberal Party generally espouses classic libertarian free 
market principles, its membership encompasses the full 
political spectrum.  Guggiari subscribes to policies best 
described as social democratic. 
 
4.  (U)  Senator Guggari was born on November 11, 1953 and 
has three children.  He is currently separated from his wife. 
 He speaks Spanish, Portuguese, and Guarani. 
JOHNSON