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1994-05-02
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<text>
<title>
Paraguay: History
</title>
<article>
<hdr>
Background Notes: Paraguay
History
</hdr>
<body>
<p> Pre-Columbian civilization in the fertile, wooded region
that is now Paraguay consisted of numerous seminomadic,
Guarani-speaking tribes of Indians, who were recognized for
their fierce warrior traditions. They practiced a mythical
polytheistic religion, which later proved amenable to blending
with Christianity.
</p>
<p> The Spanish explorer, Juan de Salazar founded Asuncion on
the Feast Day of the Assumption, August 15, 1537. The city
eventually became the center of a Spanish colonial province
encompassing most of southern South America. Paraguay eventually
declared its independence by overthrowing the local Spanish
authorities in May 1811.
</p>
<p> The country's formative years were dominated by three strong
leaders: Jose Gaspar Rodriguez de Francia (1814-40), Carlos
Antonio Lopez, (1841-62), and his son, Francisco Solano Lopez.
The latter waged a war against Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil
(War of the Triple Alliance, 1864-70) in which Paraguay lost
half its population, and Brazilian troops subsequently occupied
it until 1874. From 1880 until 1904, a succession of presidents
governed Paraguay under the banner of the Colorado Party. The
Liberal Party seized control of the government in 1904 and
ruled, with only a brief interruption, until 1940.
</p>
<p> Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Paraguayan politics were
characterized by the Chaco war, civil war, dictatorships, and
periods of extreme political instability. Gen. Alfredo
Stroessner assumed power in May 1954. He was elected to complete
the unexpired term of his predecessor and was subsequently
reelected president in 1958, 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, and
1988.
</p>
<p> He ruled the country almost continuously under the
state-of-siege provision of the constitution. When invoked,
usually in political cases, state-of-siege measures effectively
set aside habeas corpus and other legal guarantees.
</p>
<p> The Colorado Party, the military, and the government
bureaucracy were the pillars of the Stroessner regime. The
Liberal Party and the Revolutionary Febrerista Party,
officially recognized in 1964, participated in the nationwide
municipal elections in 1965. In 1966, another group of Liberals,
known as the Radical Liberal Party, were permitted to
participate, with other opposition parties, in the elections for
delegates to a constituent constitutional convention. A new
constitution was promulgated on August 25, 1967.
</p>
<p> On February 3, 1989, General Stroessner was overthrown in a
military coup headed by Gen. Andres Rodriguez, who scheduled
presidential and congressional elections for May 1. He was
nominated as Colorado Party candidate and easily won. Seven
other political parties ran candidates even though some of the
parties were new to the democratic process and had little time
to organize effective campaigns. The next general elections are
scheduled for 1993.
</p>
<p>Current Political Conditions
</p>
<p> Paraguay's two major traditional political parties, the
Colorado and the Liberal Parties, have each ruled the country
for prolonged periods. Fundamentally, little ideological
difference exists between the two parties.
</p>
<p> Following his 1989 coup, Gen. Rodriguez immediately began
implementing his promises of bringing democracy and a respect
for human rights to Paraguay. Newspapers and radio stations
closed by Stroessner were allowed to reopen and broadcast
freely. Previously unrecognized and newly created political
parties were given legal status. Dozens of independent labor
unions were recognized. Candidates for congressional seats and
the presidency were allowed to campaign freely. All of the major
opposition parties decided to participate in the May 1
elections.
</p>
<p> The Colorado Party, as the highest vote getter, received
two-thirds of the seats in each house of congress, 24 out of 36
seats in the Senate, and 48 out of 72 seats in the Chamber of
Deputies. The PLRA received 19% of the ballots cast, thus
obtaining 11 seats in the Senate and 21 in the chamber. The
Febreristas obtained one seat in the Senate and 2 seats in the
chamber while the Radical Liberal Party won a single seat in
the chamber. All other parties were shut out.
</p>
<p>Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Public Affairs,
May 1990.
</p>
</body>
</article>
</text>