Paraguay has rejected an extension of a military cooperation deal with the United States. On Thursday, Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo said his government would stop conducting a series of military exercises with US troops. Lugo cited recent hemispheric opposition to an agreement extending the US military presence inside Colombia.

Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo: “There would be about 500 US military and other personnel in the country, and that would not go unnoticed. It’s neither prudent nor convenient at this time and could raise concerns among the other members of Mercosur and UNASUR.”