Gunmen attack congressman in Paraguay

Asuncion, Mar 15 (EFE).- Congressman Pedro Gonzalez, a member of the governing Authentic Radical Liberal Party, or PLRA, said he was the target of an attack over the weekend in northeastern Paraguay but managed to escape unharmed.

The gunmen opened fire on the congressman Saturday night outside Pedro Juan Caballero, the capital of Amambay province, which is on the border with Brazil.

Marijuana and arms traffickers operate in the region around Pedro Juan Caballero, located some 500 kilometers (311 miles) from Asuncion.

Four gunmen on two motorcycles chased and opened fire on the congressman's automobile, but he accelerated and managed to get away.

"The four men fired about six shots at our vehicle, but, thank God, they missed the mark," Gonzalez told the online edition of the Abc Color newspaper.

The congressman, who was accompanied by his driver, was heading to a meeting in Zanja Pyta, a town about 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) from Pedro Juan Caballero.