Paraguayan police stand by the Congress in Asuncion, on June 22, 2012. In a surprise move, lawmakers voted Thursday to launch the impeachment proceedings against President Fernando Lugo over his 'poor performance' during clashes between police and squatters last week that left 17 people dead. The South American bloc UNASUR quickly dispatched a ministerial delegation and warned against Lugo's removal without due process, with Ecuador warning that Paraguay could face sanctions under the group's 'democracy clause.'