From: Financial Times
Paraguay’s new president to continue business-friendly policies
Mario Abdo Benitez’s father was key aide to former dictator Alfredo Stroessner
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The tobacco magnate, twice imprisoned on fraud charges before becoming president, is also accused of making more than $100m a year from selling contraband cigarettes to Brazil. He denies all the charges.
“It is extremely strange that Brazil does not control its border. It is very easy, the cigarettes cross in huge lorries,” said Mr Alegre, who questioned whether its much larger neighbour had won political favours from Mr Cartes, who is considered to be the most pro-Brazilian president in Paraguay’s history.
