Luis Castiglioni Explained

Luis Castiglioni
Office1:Minister of Foreign Affairs
Term Start1:15 August 2018
Term End1:29 July 2019[1]
President1:Mario Abdo Benítez
Predecessor1:Eladio Loizaga
Successor1:Antonio Rivas Palacios
Office2:Vice President of Paraguay
President2:Nicanor Duarte
Term Start2:15 August 2003
Term End2:15 October 2007
Predecessor2:Julio César Franco
Successor2:Francisco Oviedo
Birth Date:31 July 1962
Birth Place:Itacurubí del Rosario, Paraguay
Party:Colorado Party

Luis Alberto Castiglioni Soria (born 31 July 1962[2]) is a Paraguayan politician. He was Vice President of Paraguay for the Colorado Party from 2003 to 2007.

Career

Castiglioni was born in Itacurubí del Rosario and obtained a qualification in civil engineering from the Catholic University of Asunción.[2] His national political career began in 1984 as leader of Colorado party's juvenile wing.[2] In 2003 Nicanor Duarte chose him as his running mate in the 2003 presidential election. Castiglioni served as Vice President of Paraguay from 15 August 2003 to October 2007, when he resigned in order to pursue the presidency.

He was a candidate for the Colorado Party's nomination in the April 2008 presidential election. Initial results in the December 2007 party primary election showed rival candidate Blanca Ovelar, who is backed by President Nicanor Duarte, narrowly defeating Castiglioni;[3] however, the result was disputed, leading to a recount.[4] On 21 January 2008, the Colorado Party electoral commission announced that Ovelar had won with 45.04% of the vote against 44.5% for Castiglioni. Castiglioni said that he would never accept defeat, claiming to have proof that 30,000 votes in his favor were "stolen", and said that he would take the matter to court.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Paraguay foreign minister resigns after Brazil energy deal outcry. 29 July 2019.
  2. Última Hora, 26 November 2007, LA BIOGRAFÍA DE CASTIGLIONI, retrieved 29 June 2012
  3. http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/12/17/america/LA-POL-Paraguay-Election.php "Woman leads Paraguay ruling party's presidential primary"
  4. http://www.chinapost.com.tw/news/2008/01/14/139039/Once-jailed-Paraguayan.htm "Once-jailed Paraguayan army chief nominated for opposition run for president"
  5. http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/01/22/news/Paraguay-Presidential-Race.php "Paraguay nominates first woman for president, ruling party schism threatens bid"