US embassy cable - 05ASUNCION1381

UNCLAS ASUNCION 001381 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR INR-B, WHA/BSC 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PINR, PGOV, PREL, PA 
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY:  FIRST VICE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE 
ALEJANDRO VELAZQUEZ UGARTE 
 
 
1.  (SBU)  Senator Velazquez, a key founder of the National 
Union for Ethical Citizens Party (UNACE), was elected as a 
Senator representing UNACE in the 2003 general elections. 
However, in 2005, Velazquez renounced his affiliation with 
UNACE and returned to the Colorado Party.  Velazquez served 
as President of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee until 
June 2005 when he was elected Vice-President of the Senate. 
Velazquez serves as Vice-President to the Commission of 
Economy, Development and Latin American Economic Integration, 
and is a member to the Joint Parliamentary Commission of 
MERCOSUR.   Velazquez is proudly pro-U.S. and has supported 
the U.S. on a number of legislative initiatives. 
 
2.  (SBU)  Prior to his election as Senator, Velazquez 
supported the Colorado Party as a member of the Colorado 
Reconciliation Movement and served as Chief of Mobilization, 
Transport, Press and Propaganda for the Colorado Movement. 
He later worked as a spokesman for the UNACE Presidential 
candidacy of General Lino Oviedo. 
 
3.  (U)  Before entering politics, Velazquez worked in the 
public sector as a member of the Council of Administration 
within the Ministry of Industry and Commerce from 1976-1990. 
He also served as President of the Paraguayan Tennis 
Association from 1981-1987. 
 
4.  (U)  Senator Velazquez was born Quyquyho, Paraguay on 
February 9, 1939.  He is married with five children.  He 
speaks Spanish. 
JOHNSON