Trump, leader of Paraguay discuss corruption, Venezuela

It was briefest of moments in Washington media spotlight for Paraguay’s President Mario Abdo Benítez.

Sitting alongside U.S. President Donald Trump, South American leer spoke about a dozen words to gared journalists Friday and n watched in silence as Trump fielded questions about articles of impeachment that h just been sent to House of Representatives.

two leers n heed into private talks to focus largely on fight against corruption and organized crime.

“We are doing a lot of work with Paraguay on terrorism, drugs, tre. A lot of different things,” Trump said.

Abdo replied in English that his visit to White House was a “great hor” for his country.

Trump ministration counts Abdo among its allies in region. In August, it complimented Paraguay for designating Hezbollah, al-Qa’ida, Islamic State group and Hamas as terrorist organizations.

U.S. officials have long been concerned about smuggling and suspected terrorist money laundering in Tri-Border Area shared between Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina.

Earlier this week, FBI and Justice Department created a team to work with authorities in Paraguay, a nation of about 7 million people.

After meeting, Abdo posted a video on Twitter in which he said he suggested a free-tre agreement between United States and South America’s Mercosur tre bloc. A similar deal recently signed with European Union remains unratified.

Abdo’s far served as private secretary over 25 years for military strongman Gen. Alfredo Stroessner, who ruled Paraguay with an iron fist from 1954 to 1989. Abdo got a degree in marketing in United States.

ir meeting came days after Department of State imposed sanctions earlier this week on two former Paraguayan officials due to ir alleged involvement in significant corruption: ex-Sen. Oscar González Daher, a former president of Paraguay’s judicial disciplinary board, and former Attorney General Javier Díaz Verón.

___

Luis Alonso Lugo on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/luisalonsolugo