Paraguay's lower house OK's impeachment action of president for violent land eviction

Pedro Servin, The Associated Press

ASUNCION, Paraguay - The lower house of Paraguay's congress has voted to begin impeachment proceedings against President Fernando Lugo for his role in a violent eviction.

Lugo immediately promised to face the trial, dismissing rumours he might resign.

The opposition-controlled lower house approved the impeachment trial with 73 votes in favour and 1 against on Thursday. The motion now goes to the opposition controlled Senate, where the trial would be held if it is approved.

Lugo has been heavily criticized over a land eviction last week that killed 17 people in gunbattles between police and landless farmers in a forest reserve. The clash prompted Lugo to accept the resignations of his interior minister and his chief of police.