Paraguayan president promises reform

ASUNCION , Paraguay, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- New Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo promised during his inaugural address Friday to take on corruption in his homeland.

Lugo, a 57-year-old former bishop, said he would also bring land reform to the poor South American country, the ABC Color newspaper reported online Friday.

In April, Lugo defeated Paraguayan President Nicanor Duarte, who could not seek re-election after serving a five-year term, ending 61 years of rule by Paraguay's Colorado Party.

At the time, Duarte accused leftist leaders in Venezuela and Ecuador of interfering in the elections.