Quito, April 13 (RHC-Xinhua) -- On Tuesday, Ernesto Samper, secretary general of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), expressed concern that a politically-motivated impeachment drive could undermine judicial institutions in Brazil and the region.

In a statement issued at the UNASUR headquarters in Quito, Ecuador, Samper noted the lawmakers were pursuing a trial "without any evidence that personally and directly incriminates (Dilma Rousseff) in committing a crime."

"The president can only be tried and ousted ... for crimes in which her active and willful participation can be proven," he added.

Accepting that a head of state "can be ousted from office for alleged administrative failures would lead to the dangerous criminalization of governing," driven by political motives, said Samper.

A two-third majority of the lower house, or 342 of the 513 deputies, are needed to pass the impeachment motion.  Members of the Workers' Party and affiliated political groups that form the ruling coalition fear Cunha will try to manipulate the voting in favor of the impeachment by trying to have the representatives of Brazil's wealthier conservative southern states vote first, which will possibly give the impeachment greater momentum.