( CNN ) -- Four of Paraguay 's neighbors said Sunday they are pulling their ambassadors from the country in the wake of the impeachment of Paraguay 's president . Chile and Venezuela recalled the ambassadors hours after Brazil and Uruguay -- two of Paraguay 's most important neighbors -- did the same . Argentina recalled its ambassador on Saturday . Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez also said his country is halting all shipments to Paraguay . Brazil 's foreign ministry said the action was due to the `` breakdown of democracy '' in Paraguay , and vowed to take up the impeachment with the regional blocs MERCOSUR and UNASUR . The moves follow the lightning-quick removal from office of President Fernando Lugo on Friday . The impeachment procedures appear to have been carried out in accordance with the Paraguayan constitution , but some Latin American presidents call it a coup d'etat and refuse to recognize the new president , Federico Franco . Lugo went from president to disgraced leader in less than 48 hours . The former Catholic bishop was unpopular with lawmakers , and many had concerns about his credibility after he he admitted to fathering at least two children while still in the priesthood . In all , four women claim they had babies by Lugo while he was bishop . But nine days ago , there was no reason to believe that Lugo would find himself out of a job before his term ended in August 2013 . Then Paraguay impeached its president so fast that its neighbors needed a few days to figure out how to react . By Sunday , Brazil and Uruguay were expressing deep concerns . Brazil 's foreign ministry condemned the president 's removal and Uruguay 's president said it was n't in line with democratic practices . Paraguay swears in new leader after impeachment . There had been calls in the past for the impeachment of Lugo , but the scandals did not rock his position too much . That changed on June 15 , when police and landless peasants clashed in eastern Paraguay , resulting in 17 deaths . Peasants fired on police who were trying to evict them from private property , initiating the deadly confrontation , local authorities and state-run media said . The violence occurred in Curuguaty , a remote community about 240 kilometers ( 150 miles ) northeast of the Paraguayan capital , Asuncion , near the Brazilian border . In response to the incident , Lugo replaced his national police chief and interior minister . The country 's liberal party , which backed Lugo , were incensed to learn that the new minister was from another party . As the outcry over the deadly clash continued , the liberal party announced Thursday that it was withdrawing its support of Lugo , and an impeachment vote was heard in the lower chamber of congress that day . The vote in favor of impeachment was 76-1 . The next day , Lugo 's defense team had two hours to defend Lugo from what it call vague charges of incompetence . The Senate impeached the president in a 39-4 vote . That was it . Lugo said Paraguayan history and democracy had been `` deeply wounded . '' The presidents of Venezuela , Argentina , Bolivia , Ecuador and the Dominican Republic said they will not recognize Franco 's administration . Mexico 's foreign ministry and Venezuela 's Chavez said the speed in which Lugo was removed did n't give him time to mount a proper defense . Franco reiterated that the impeachment happened within the parameters of the constitution , and pointed to the large margins by which Lugo was voted out of office . `` It means that here we have a unanimous position . The Paraguayan people , I think , are satisfied with this decision , '' he said . Despite the cold shoulder from neighboring countries , Franco said he will reach out and explain the legality of Lugo 's ouster and seeks to have good international relations . His goal is for Paraguay to be recognized internationally by the time he hands the government over to the next president next year , he said . Most of the countries opposed to Franco 's presidency belong to the Union of South American Nations , known as UNASUR . The foreign ministers of that regional body were in Paraguay to study the issue . The United States also weighed in a more neutral manner . `` We urge all Paraguayans to act peacefully , with calm and responsibility , in the spirit of Paraguay 's democratic principles , '' State Department spokeswoman Darla Jordan said . CNN 's Mariano Castillo , Marilia Brocchetto and Fernando del Rincon contributed to this report .
NEW : Chile and Venezuela recall their ambassadors . Brazil and Uruguay express concern about the impeachment of the president . New President Federico Franco says the process was constitutional . Comment: