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Paraguay's president replaces military brass amid coup rumors

Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo on Wednesday ordered the replacement of top military commanders.
Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo on Wednesday ordered the replacement of top military commanders.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo named replacements
  • Lugo replaced heads of the army, air force and navy, said statement from armed forces
  • One day earlier, Lugo addressed and dismissed reports of a possible coup
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(CNN) -- Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo on Wednesday ordered the replacement of top military commanders, a day after publicly dismissing rumors circulating the capital about a military coup.

The announcement came from the armed forces themselves, not the president's office.

In his capacity as commander-in-chief, Lugo named replacements for the heads of the army, air force and navy, according to a statement from the armed forces.

One day earlier, Lugo had addressed -- and dismissed -- reports of a possible coup.

"In recent days rumors have surfaced about the placement of bombs, new kidnappings, assaults, coup d'etats," Lugo said at a news conference Tuesday.

"We are a friendly, participative government, willing to analyze the criticisms we receive, but don't confuse that for a moment with a showing of weakness," Lugo said, adding that nothing would remove him from the presidential palace until the end of his term in 2013.

Lugo, who was elected to a five-year term last year, is a former Catholic bishop.

His victory brought an end to 61 years of one-party rule in Paraguay, but the honeymoon did not last long.

In April, Lugo admitted he fathered a child during the period he was still a priest, and that he may have possibly fathered more. The revelation, which came as a shock to most, hurt his campaign image. Calls for his resignation began then and have continued, as Lugo has struggled to push reforms through a majority-opposition legislature.

The new military commanders will be sworn-in at a ceremony Thursday morning.