The U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control on Thursday sanctioned Paraguay's former President Horacio Cartes and current Vice President Hugo Velazquez, citing "rampant corruption that undermines democratic institutions," APA reports citing Reuters.
The Treasury also designated four entities owned or controlled by Cartes.
Cartes had previously denied the accusations in July, when accusations from the United States first emerged. Velazquez was not immediately available for comment and a spokesperson for their political party, the ruling Colorado Party, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Treasury accused Cartes of participating in corrupt activities before, during and after his term as president, alleging the basis of his career depended on "corrupt means for success."
Cartes is the head of the Colorado Party and an important backer of its candidate in this year's presidential election.
The Treasury said Cartes joined the party in 2009, providing financial aid and incentives to push the group to eliminate a requirement allowing him to run as the party's presidential candidate.
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