The United States sanctions the Vice President of Paraguay, Hugo Velázquez, and his family

Former President Cartes is sanctioned for alleged corruption 4:27

(CNN) --

The US State Department has sanctioned Paraguayan Vice President Hugo Velázquez "for being involved in significant acts of corruption," Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Friday.

In addition to Hugo Velázquez, the State Department sanctioned the Legal Adviser of the Yacyretá Binational Entity (EBY), Juan Carlos "Charly" Duarte, reported Blinken.

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According to Blinken's statement, "Duarte, a close personal and professional associate of Vice President Velázquez, offered a bribe to a Paraguayan public official to obstruct an investigation that threatened the Vice President and his financial interests."

"As part of this action, the Department is also designating in the sanctions members of Velázquez's immediate family, including Lourdes María Andrea Samaniego González, Dionicio Adalberto Velázquez Giménez, Sonya Rebeca Velázquez Escauriza, and Hugo José Velázquez Escauriza; and the members of Duarte's immediate family, including Ninfa Concepción, Vera Moreira and Tamara Duarte Martínez," he said.

Due to sanctions, these people cannot enter the United States.

Antony BlinkenUnited States newsSanctions