[1] In September 2009 Paraguay's President Fernando Lugo revoked plans for US troops to hold joint military exercises and development projects.

President Lugo referenced strong regional opposition from countries such as Venezuela, Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia and Ecuador to the expansion of US military bases in Colombia in his decision.

Charge d'affaires Victor Casartelli said that he and three other Paraguayan diplomats in Caracas were told leave within three days.

This follows a dispute between the countries that began in June 2012 with the congressional impeachment of Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo.

[citation needed] However, bilateral relations severed in January 2019 as Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benítez announced that Paraguay will not recognize Nicolas Maduro as Venezuela's elected president, Paraguay has decided to close embassy, withdraw diplomats “in defense of democracy”.