For related articles and more information, please visit OCA’s Genetic Engineering page and our Millions Against Monsanto page.

 The political system in Paraguay is undergoing some major turmoil right now following the forced impeachment of former President Fernando Lugo, a “left-of-center” politician democratically voted into office by the people of Paraguay back in 2008. And among those who initiated and brought about this controversial coup was multinational biotechnology giant Monsanto, which was apparently threatened by Lugo’s resistance against the company’s genetically-modified (GM) crop agenda.

 

For years, Paraguay’s government has been dominated by so-called “right-wing” politicians that have served the interests of the country’s local oligarchy, as well as the interests of the U.S. embassy and transnational corporations that have established a powerful stronghold in the country. Among these corporate influences was Monsanto, which over the years has converted much of Paraguay’s arable land into plantations that grow GM crops.

 

But with the election of Lugo in 2008, things were beginning to change in many ways, according to reports, which triggered serious upset amongst Paraguay’s status quo class. Unwilling to capitulate to every demand made by the likes of Monsanto, Lugo was clearly a problem for these movers and shakers, who had long controlled national policy to their liking at the expense of the underclasses who have had to endure extreme poverty as a result.