Politics & Government
Rep. Norma Torres Joins Paraguay Delegation To Inauguration Ceremony
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland leads the delegation to the Paraguayan capital for the inauguration of Santiago Peña as president.
CORONA, CA — Rep. Norma Torres, D-Pomona, will be among the five- member presidential delegation attending Tuesday's inauguration of Santiago Peña as president of Paraguay.
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland will lead the delegation to the Paraguayan capital of Asunción, President Joe Biden announced Saturday.
The delegation also consists of Marc Ostfield, the U.S. ambassador to Paraguay; Francisco O. Mora, the U.S. ambassador to the Organization of American States; and Todd D. Robinson, the assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.
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Peña was elected April 30 to succeed Mario Abdo Benítez, a fellow member of the National Republican Association-Colorado Party, which has held the presidency for all but five years since 1948 and was the sole legal party from 1947-62.
Paraguay's constitution limits its president to one five-year term.
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The U.S. State Department issued a statement May 1 saying "We look forward to working with President-elect Peña and his government to advance common interests like fighting corruption and impunity and advancing security and economic growth for the benefit of both our countries.
"Our common interests and shared democratic values will continue to underpin the historic partnership between the people of Paraguay and the United States."
The 44-year-old Peña was the nation's finance minister from 2015-17, has taught economics at the Catholic University of Asunción and served on leadership boards for the Central Bank of Paraguay and Banco Amambay. He has a master's degree from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs.
Torres, who was elected to Congress in 2014, represents California's 35th congressional district in the Inland Empire, which includes Chino, Montclair, Ontario, Pomona, and parts of Chino Hills, Eastvale, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, and Upland.
She previously served as a California State Senator, Assembly Member and as a Mayor and Council Member in Pomona.
Torres is originally from Guatemala.
