Paraguay blasts Mercosur's decision to take on Venezuela

Paraguay’s government blasted Mercosur’s decision of taking Venezuela as a full member of the bloc "before finishing the legislative procedure to so" and assure the measure lacks legal recognition. President Federico Franco also said that his country's suspension from the bloc 'is illegal and illegitimate.'

It was announced on Friday’s Mercosur summit in Mendoza province that Venezuela will become a full member of the bloc. Paraguay’s government, led by Federico Franco following Fernando Lugo’s removal from power, considers that the measure “violates de fourth article of the Ushuaia protocol, which demands consultation with the affected state, which did not take place,” a communiqué released by the Paraguayan Foreign Ministry insists-

Paraguayan Foreign Minister José Fernández stated “we are in the Mercosur and we not allowed to enter it. We will remain a part of the bloc until our people decide if we continue or not.”

Paraguay was suspended from Mercosur bloc until the 2013 presidential elections, after Fernando Lugo was removed from power in a 2 hour long impeachment trial. Federico Franco replaced him as president hours later.