Presidency (2003–2008) edit
,_Duarte_Frutos_(right),_greets_The_Honorable_Donald_H._Rumsfeld,_Secretary_of_Defense,_upon_his_arrival_on_Aug._16,_2005,_at_Asuncion,_Paraguay._Secr_-_DPLA_-_bcf1d46960f0dc360b566638dd212269.jpeg)
Foreign policy edit
ALCA edit
Economic policy edit
Domestic policy edit
EPP Insurgency edit
Controversies edit
Reelection amendment edit
Conflict with the press edit
Mental health edit
Presidency of the Colorado Party edit
Falling-out with Vice President Castiglioni edit
Alleged assassination attempt edit
On 14 February 2008, Duarte visited the headquarters of the Paraguayan Military, there he was served a glass of water. Upon sipping it, Duarte spat the water, saying it tasted weird and that it burned his mouth.[1][2] The water was examined and it was concluded that it contained muriatic acid.[3][4] Duarte claimed this was an assassination attempt, although he didn't accuse anyone specifically.
Opponents of Duarte dismissed the incident, saying it was exaggerated in order to distract the public from the spread of yellow fever across the country.[5][6][7]
Attempted swearing-in as senator edit
In the 2008 election, Duarte was elected to the Senate. On 23 June Duarte presented his resignation to the President of the Senate, Miguel Abdón Saguier, in order to be sworn in as Senator on 1 July.[8][9] The opposition argued that it would be unconstitutional for a former president to serve in the Senate, so they rejected his resignation by not attending the sessions were it was supposed to be accepted.[10][11] As expected, the quorum was not reached at the 24 June 2008 session, so Duarte's resignation was rejected, forcing him to stay in power until his term expired on 15 August.[12][13] Duarte's seat was instead taken by Jorge Cespedes.
Another session was called for Duarte to be sworn in as senator on 26 August, two weeks after he left office. The session was once again boycotted and quorum was not reached, but the new President of the Senate, Enrique González Quintana, decided to swear him in anyway.[14] However, days later the Senate voted to annul Duarte's swearing in, declaring that Jorge Cespedes would officially take his place and that Duarte was, like all former presidents, just senator for life, a ceremonial title with no power whatsoever.[15]
Accusations of corruption edit
Later life edit
Ambassador to Argentina edit
Second attempted swearing-in as senator edit
In the 2018 election, Duarte and then-outgoing President Horacio Cartes were elected to the Senate. This was criticized by the opposition, arguing that it would be unconstitutional for former presidents to serve in the Senate
but the Superior Tribunal of Electoral Justice overruled that decision, ruling that both Cartes and Duarte were eligible to run for the Senate. Ultimately, neither were able to assume as Senators this time either.
Director of the Yacyretá Dam edit
Public image edit
*nicknames* *orator* *beret*
In popular culture edit
La Mansión de los Políticos
- ^ El presidente de Paraguay sufre un envenenamiento tras beber un vaso de agua que contenía ácido muriático
- ^ "Contrabandistas, terroristas, espías y militares extranjeros". El País (in Spanish). 2008-04-21. ISSN 1134-6582. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
- ^ "Aseguran que Nicanor estuvo a punto de sufrir envenenamiento - Política - ABC Color". www.abc.com.py (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-02-06.
- ^ Press, Europa (2008-02-15). "Paraguay.- El presidente de Paraguay sufre un envenenamiento tras beber un vaso de agua que contenía ácido muriático". www.notimerica.com. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
- ^ "Ultima Hora :: Weblog Detalle". web.archive.org. 2008-02-19. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
- ^ "Nicanor conoce la jerga mafiosa porque él es un capomafioso, afirma el P-MAS - Política - ABC Color". www.abc.com.py (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-02-06.
- ^ "Nicanorismo habla de "atentado" y fiebre amarilla se expande en el país". web.archive.org. 2008-02-19. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
- ^ "Duarte Frutos renunciará mañana". ABC Color (in Spanish). 22 June 2008.
- ^ "Nicanor entrega hoy su renuncia al cargo". ABC Color (in Spanish). 23 June 2008.
- ^ "Sin quórum, harán jurar a Nicanor". ABC Color (in Spanish). 26 August 2008.
- ^ Paraguay's president resigns – People's Daily Online
- ^ Paraguayan Congress lacks quorum to vote on president's resignation : America World
- ^ Paraguayan Congress Rejects Duarte"s Resignation – Prensa Latina[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Nicanor juró como Senador". ABC Color (in Spanish). 26 August 2008.
- ^ (in Spanish) Cespedes es titular, Nicanor vitalicio from Diario ABC Color.