Page 12 - ARUBA TODAY

A12 WORLD NEWS
Wednesday 20 november 2019
Brazilian police seek arrest of Paraguay ex-President Cartes

By DAVID BILLER scandal in Brazil's history. run, and served a five-year
Associated Press The sprawling Car Wash in- term through 2018. Cartes
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — vestigation since 2014 has often denied accusations
Brazilian police are seeking roiled not only Brazil's busi- that his wealth was fed by
the arrest of Paraguay's ex- ness and political elite, but money laundering, ciga-
President Horacio Cartes as also spread to neighboring rette smuggling and drug
part of an investigation into countries. The probe re- trafficking.
money laundering. vealed the scope of cor- Cartes has called Messer his
On Tuesday, Brazilian au- ruption and cozy relation- "soul brother," while Messer
thorities alleged Cartes ships between the public referred to him as "Boss,"
provided $500,000 to a and private sectors. prosecutors said. They are
criminal organization at the "In Paraguay, there are no still evaluating whether
request of Dario Messer, a untouchables. Everyone Cartes' alleged participa-
Brazilian associate who was should be accountable," tion in the criminal orga-
then a fugitive facing cor- In this Aug. 21, 2017 file photo, then Paraguay's President Horacio Paraguay's President Mario nization was temporary
Cartes stands for the playing of his country's national anthem
ruption charges, prosecu- during a welcome ceremony at the Planalto Presidential Palace, Abdo Benítez told reporters when providing the funds
tors told reporters. in Brasilia, Brazil. on Tuesday, adding that he to Messer, or a permanent
Messer informed Cartes Associated Press would evaluate the Brazil- fixture of the group.
that he needed the funds arrest of Cartes. Interpol ated Press. ian authorities' accusations Brazilian authorities sought
to pay for legal fees and "it didn't immediately respond Earlier this year, Brazilian against Cartes. Cartes' preventative im-
was shown that money was to a request for information. police arrested Messer, the Cartes, 63, amassed a for- prisonment on the basis
in fact made available," The former president re- alleged leader of a group tune with two dozen com- that he could continue to
prosecutor José Augusto mains in Paraguay and is of Brazilian illicit money panies acting in all sorts of finance the criminal orga-
Vagos said. "at ease because he had changers who delivered industries, including tobac- nization, particularly mem-
Brazilian authorities say no commercial ties to Dario bribes as part of the "Car co, banking, soccer and bers who haven't yet been
they have asked Interpol to Messer," his lawyer, Carlos Wash" kickback scheme, soft drinks. He parlayed that identified, said prosecutor
put out a red notice for the Palacios, told the Associ- the biggest corruption influence into a presidential Marisa Ferrari.q

1 killed in violence near Bolivian fuel plant

By NATACHA PISARENKO Associated Press journalist Víctor Hugo Zamora, the
Associated Press in the area heard shooting hydrocarbons minister, told
El ALTO, Bolivia (AP) — Se- near the fuel plant. ATB television that 23 tank-
curity forces in Bolivia on Smoke rose from fires set er trucks were able to load
Tuesday launched an op- by protesters and a military up on fuel at the plant after
eration to supply gasoline helicopter was seen flying days of blockades. Morales
from a major fuel plant that over the area. The public resigned on Nov. 10 follow-
had been blockaded by defender's office identified ing a disputed election and
supporters of former Presi- the man who was killed as massive protests by Boliv-
dent Evo Morales. 31-year-old Deybi Posto ians who believe he rigged
At least one person was Cusi. Some Bolivian cities the vote. He left for asylum
killed and eight were in- have reported food and in Mexico. About two-doz-
jured during the operation gasoline shortages be- en people have been killed
in the city of El Alto, near La cause of demonstrations in unrest since the Oct. 20
Paz, the public defender's by pro-Morales groups. The election. An interim gov-
An Army helicopter flies over the road leading to the state-own office and a hospital said. operation by security forc- ernment says it wants to or-
Senkata filling gas plant in El Alto, on the outskirts of La Paz, The circumstances of the es was aimed at restoring ganize new elections, but
Bolivia, as supporters of former President Evo Morales set up violence were not imme- the supply of fuel to com- it faces fierce opposition
barricades, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019. diately clear, though an munities. from Morales' camp.q
Associated Press
Haiti mourns 5 people killed during ongoing protests

By EVENS SANON "This really hurts," said her was just trying to survive."
Associated Press father, Macene Pierre. "I More than 40 people have
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) lost my little girl. I don't know been killed and dozens
— Wails filled a church in what I'm going to do." injured in more than two
Haiti's capital on Tuesday Hundreds of people at- months of demonstrations
during funeral services for tended the funerals for organized by opposition
five people killed in anti- Pierre and four men, three leaders demanding the res-
government protests that of whom were allegedly ignation of President Jove-
began more than two shot by police while partici- nel Moïse amid anger over
months ago. pating in the protests. corruption, ballooning infla-
Among those killed was The fourth victim, 25-year- tion and a scarcity of basic
15-year-old Jasmine Pierre, old Bernard Vaudreuil, was goods. The protests have
whose father told The As- working as a moto taxi shuttered many business-
sociated Press that she was Protesters carry a coffin that contain the remains of a protester, driver when he was shot, es and schools across the
hit inside their home by a past a burning vehicle, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Tuesday, Nov. said cousin Marie-Ange La- country as Moïse continues
stray bullet when police be- 19, 2019. roche. "He was not involved to urge dialogue after stat-
gan firing at protesters. Associated Press in the turmoil," she said. "He ing he won't resign..q