A Paraguayan diplomat accused of infecting four Taiwanese women with a venereal disease has been removed from his position and ordered to leave Taiwan, the Paraguayan Embassy in Taiwan said yesterday.
Ambassador Ceferino Adrian Valdez Peralta told reporters that the diplomat, first secretary Ruben Dario Benitez Palma, was no longer a member of the embassy's staff as of yesterday.
"The case is already closed for the embassy. Mr. Benitez Palma will leave the country as soon as possible," Valdez Peralta said.
Benitez Palma will be requested to undergo another health examination after returning to Paraguay, Valdez Paralta added.
The case was first exposed on Thursday when a woman who claimed to be one of the victims held a press conference in the company of two PFP legislators.
The woman, who identified herself as "Miss A," accused Benitez Palma of knowingly infecting her with genital warts, or Condyloma accuminata.
According to PFP Legislator Li Yong-ping (
The women also alleged that Ambassador Valdez Peralta humiliated them when they appealed to him.
The allegations came amid a state visit by Paraguayan President Luis Angel Gonzalez Macchi.
The Paraguayan Embassy announced late Thursday night its decision to remove Benitez Palma, despite his claim that he was innocent. The ambassador also apologized to the women for what he said was a misunderstanding.
Valdez Paralta said President Gonzalez Macchi enjoyed his trip, and the incident would not affect Taiwan-Paraguay relations.
"Miss A," however, said yesterday that she would not accept Valdez Paralta's apology.
"I don't believe he is sincere about his apology. He apologized only because the president was here getting angry, and he wanted to secure his post," she said.
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