Paraguay's President Fernando Lugo walks in the Mburuvicha Roga presidential residence before giving a news conference in Asuncion, Paraguay, Wednesday, June 20, 2012. Lugo announced the creation of an independent commission to investigate the deaths of 11 landless farmers and six police during gun battles on June 15 in Curuguaty, Paraguay. The violence broke out as police tried to evict about 150 farmers from the reserve, which is part of a huge estate owned by a Colorado Party politician opposed to Lugo. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)
June 21, 2012 - 10:48 AM
ASUNCION, Paraguay - The lower house of Paraguay's congress has voted to begin impeachment proceedings against President Fernando Lugo for his role in a violent eviction.
Lugo immediately promised to face the trial, dismissing rumours he might resign.
The opposition-controlled lower house approved the impeachment trial with 73 votes in favour and 1 against on Thursday. The motion now goes to the opposition controlled Senate, where the trial would be held if it is approved.
Lugo has been heavily criticized over a land eviction last week that killed 17 people in gunbattles between police and landless farmers in a forest reserve. The clash prompted Lugo to accept the resignations of his interior minister and his chief of police.
News from © The Associated Press, 2012