Government News: Top Stories

Ex-leader's daughter mourned in Paraguay
by Pedro Servin

The Associated Press Translate This Article
19 February 2005

ASUNCION, Paraguay - Thousands of Paraguayans chanting ``Justice! Justice!'' crowded a cemetery Friday to say farewell to former President Raul Cubas's daughter, who was found dead this week after being kidnapped five months ago.

Hundreds more lined streets of the capital, reaching out to touch the hearse carrying the body of Cecilia Cubas. Police on motorcycles led the funeral cortege.

Her father, president from August 1998 to March 1999, was driven from power by deadly street riots and turmoil set off by the assassination of his vice president.

He said Friday he hoped his daughter's death would help draw attention to the country's increasing lawlessness.

``Cecilia is a symbol of what is happening today in Paraguay,'' he said. ``But let's use her memory to work to build a better country.''

His voice shaking, he added: ``Your death will help us make that a reality.''

In recent months, Cubas made repeated public pleas for his daughter's life, saying he paid an $800,000 ransom weeks after her abduction.

At the Italian Cemetery on the outskirts of Asuncion, people held up photographs of Cubas, chanting ``Cecilia will live on!'' Many shouted slogans calling on President Nicanor Duarte to quickly solve the case and catch those responsible.

The Sept. 21 disappearance of Cubas, 32, was the country's highest-profile kidnapping. She was found dead Wednesday night. Paraguayan officials have said Colombian guerillas may have been involved in the kidnapping.

Her death, in the midst of a spiraling crime wave, has deepened feelings of insecurity in this South American country, plagued by organized crime, drug trafficking and corruption.

Authorities have been holding a Paraguayan leftist leader in connection with the kidnapping, and this week said the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, may have been involved but did not elaborate on evidence to support claims about the guerrillas.

Attorney General Diego Latorre said investigators had discovered e-mail exchanges between prominent Colombian rebel Rodrigo Granda and Paraguayan leftist Osmar Martinez in which they allegedly discussed the kidnapping.

Authorities said Cubas had been dead for more than a month when her body was found in a tunnel under an abandoned house near Asuncion, her mouth and nose covered with tape.

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