U.S. accuses ex-president of Paraguay of graft and obstruction

Former Paraguayan President Horacio Cartes

Cartes of “significant corruption” and of obstructing a cross-border criminal investigation.

“Former President Cartes obstructed a major international investigation into transnational crime in order to protect himself and his criminal associate from potential prosecution and political damage,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement, without naming the associate.

“These actions enabled and perpetuated Cartes’ recently documented involvement with foreign terrorist organizations and other U.S.-designated entities,” the statement said.