President-elect Fernando Lugo raised eyebrows for his choice of footwear during a recent meeting with his predecessor, but the former clergyman's "bishop sandals" are catching on with Paraguayans. As the onetime Roman Catholic clergyman prepares to take office in August, his trademark sandals are becoming trendy, shoe vendor Crispiniano Martinez said in a shopping center in the capital of Asuncion.
"Male clients usually buy leather slippers because it's too hot here most of the year to walk around comfortably in shoes," Martinez said in the local Guarani language. "But since Bishop Lugo won the election and people saw him on television, men are asking me for sandals."
"It seems sandals recovered their popularity with Lugo," said another shoe vendor, Rosa Alfonso.
Lugo joins an established tradition of Latin American leaders who eschew suits and ties — think Fidel Castro's military fatigues, Daniel Ortega's airy "guayabera" shirts, Evo Morales' unique black coat trimmed with colorful Indian designs.
Lugo was unapologetic some 20 days ago after meeting with outgoing President Nicanor Duarte while wearing the sandals over white socks, saying they're just part of his relaxed, professorial look with spectacles, scraggly beard and unbuttoned white shirt.
"I will continue to wear sandals despite protocols because they are part of my personality," the man known as the "bishop of the poor" told reporters.
Lugo elaborated on Thursday, telling The Associated Press he's been wearing the sandals for years to cope with the South American nation's tropical heat.
"My feet sweat a lot," he said.
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