declared a 30-day state of emergency, suspending rights and guarantees established in
the Political Constitution throughout the national territory. 14
20. On May 19, 2000, a Meeting of the Permanent Council of the Organization of
American States (hereinafter “OAS”) was held in which Paraguay reported on the events
that had occurred. The Permanent Council of the OAS issued Resolution 770 (1235/00)
that same day, whose operative paragraphs read as follows:
1. To express the full and unwavering support of the Organization of American States
for the Government of the constitutional President of Paraguay, Luis Angel González
Macchi.
2. To condemn vehemently this assault on the democratic and constitutional order of
Paraguay.
3. To express its appreciation to the Secretary General of the Organization for his swift
response in support of the Government of the constitutional President of Paraguay and
the Paraguayan people, and for his valuable contribution to the preservation of
democracy in that country; and to request the Secretary General to keep the
Permanent Council informed on the matter. 15
21. On May 23, 2000, Paraguay’s Permanent Mission to the OAS informed the States
Parties to the American Convention of the state of emergency, following the procedure
established in Article 27 of the treaty. 16 Finally, on May 31, 2000, the state of emergency
was lifted by means of Decree 8,936. 17 On June 1, 2000, the Permanent Mission of
Paraguay to the OAS notified the other States Parties to the American Convention,
through the Secretary General of the OAS, that it had ended the state of emergency. 18
B. Detention of Jorge Luis López Sosa
22. On May 18, 2000, the day of the failed coup, Jorge Luis López Sosa, who at that
time was a junior officer in the National Police, 19 was off duty when he received a call
from Chief Inspector (Comisario Principal) A.C. ordering him to report for duty at
National Police Headquarters in Asunción. 20 When he arrived, Chief Inspector A.C.
informed Mr. López and the other people present that action was being taken “to take
over the Government” and that, as “there were no superior officers present,” the Chief
Inspector would be taking temporary command of the police. 21 At roughly 9:30 p.m.,
the Chief Inspector ordered Mr. López Sosa to “make himself available” and accompany
14
Cf. Office of the President, Ministry of National Defense, Decree 8,772, of May 19, 2000, available at:
https://paraguay.justia.com/nacionales/decretos/decreto-8772-may-19-2000/gdoc/.
15
Cf. Permanent Council of the Organization of American States, CP/RES. 770 (1235/00), of May 19,
2000, available at: https://www.oas.org/36ag/english/doc_referencia/cpres770_00.pdf.
16
Cf. IACHR. Third report on the situation of human rights in Paraguay, OEA/Ser./L/VII.110, of March
9, 2001 (evidence file, folio 1606).
17
Cf. IACHR. Third report on the situation of human rights in Paraguay, OEA/Ser./L/VII.110, of March
9, 2001 (evidence file, folio 1607).
18
Cf. IACHR. Third report on the situation of human rights in Paraguay, OEA/Ser./L/VII.110, of March
9, 2001 (evidence file, folio 1607).
19
Cf. Final Judgment No. 1 of the Collegiate Trial Court of the Judicial District of Asunción, Case 01-0102-01-2000-2606, “J.B.P., M.P., O.V., W.P., for infliction of bodily injury in the performance of public duties
and others,” of December 30, 2019 (evidence file, folio 125).
20
Cf. Statement of the accused [Jorge Luis López Sosa] pursuant to Article 84 of the Code of Criminal
Procedure, of December 12, 2000 (evidence file, folio 4).
21
Cf. Statement of the accused [Jorge Luis López Sosa] pursuant to Article 84 of the Code of Criminal
Procedure, of December 12, 2000 (evidence file, folio 4).
8