VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAC #0667 3351945
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O R 011945Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY ASUNCION
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0219
INFO MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RUCQSAB/USSOCOM INTEL MACDILL AFB FL
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASUNCION 000667 
 
SIPDIS 
WHA/FO CMCMULLEN, WHA/BSC MDRUCKER, BFRIEDMAN, MDASCHBACH 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2034/12/01 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PA
SUBJECT: THE PRESIDENT'S CHILDREN: RUMOR AND REALITY 
 
REF: ASUNCION 229 
 
CLASSIFIED BY: Perry Holloway, DCM; REASON: 1.4(B), (D) 
 
¶1.       (C) SUMMARY: President Fernando Lugo refused to respond to 
new allegations that he has two additional children. His advisors 
and cabinet members refused comment, repeatedly citing the 
"private" nature of the issue.  Colorado politicians and other Lugo 
detractors are attempting to use the paternity issue and charges of 
nepotism to weaken his power.  The continued drip-drip-drip of new 
revelations continues to draw press attention and public criticism, 
but will likely soon blow over.  END SUMMARY. 
 
 
 
¶2.       (U) The latest revelations stem from Lugo's attendance at 
the November 21 wedding of Fatima del Rocio Rojas.  The president's 
niece called several press conferences to announce that Rojas, now 
22 years old, is actually Lugo's daughter by Teresita Rojas. The 
press also seized upon the presumed son-in-law's political 
appointment to a plum job at the Yacyreta Binational Entity in 
August 2009 as signs of nepotism.  Independently, Representative 
Olga Ferriera de Lopez alleges she was contacted by a 23-year-old 
claiming to be pregnant with Lugo's child. 
 
 
 
¶3.       (U) Lugo accepted legal responsibility for a child for the 
first time in April 2009 (reftel.)  Later in April 2009, Benigna 
Leguizamon demanded paternal recognition for her son Lucas 
Fernando, born September 9, 2002 when she was 20 years old.  A 
paternity case is also pending for Juan Pablo, born December 5, 
2007 to then 37-year-old Damiana Hortensia Moran, whose husband was 
working abroad in Spain when her son was conceived.  Her lawyer 
called a press conference November 24 to exhibit the entry and exit 
stamps in his passports.  Lugo has not recognized either child, but 
promised to abide by court rulings and submit to DNA tests if 
required.  To date, Lugo has not taken a paternity test. 
 
 
 
¶4.       (C)  COMMENT:  Lugo's paternity problems continue to grow, 
with women particularly appalled at what is revealing itself to be 
a lifelong pattern of behavior.  As the rumors of even more 
children spread, Lugo's ability to maintain a grip on a weakened 
administration diminishes along with his already minimal influence 
over Congress.  In addition, a Gallup poll released in mid-November 
shows Lugo's popularity has fallen to 25%.  These newest 
allegations will continue to make him a lightening rod for press 
attention and public criticism, but will likely soon blow, unless 
more cases surface.  END COMMENT. 
AYALDE