Alfredo Stroessner

Paraguayan military dictator who ruled from 1954 to 1989, known for repression.

Chronology: 1912-11-03 – 2006-08-16

Origins & Early Life

Alfredo Stroessner Matiauda (Spanish: [alˈfɾeðo esˈtɾosneɾ]; 3 November 1912 – 16 August 2006) was a Paraguayan politician, army general, and military dictator who ruled as the 42nd president of Paraguay from 15 August 1954 until his overthrow in 1989. Known as El Stronato or El Stronismo, his dictatorship was marked by political violence. Before his accession to the presidency, he was the country's de facto leader from May to August 1954. Stroessner rose to power after leading the 1954 coup d'état on 4 May, with backing from the Colorado Party, and the Paraguayan Army.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Following a brief provisional government under Tomás Romero Pereira, he was elected unopposed in the 1954 presidential election, as all opposition parties had been banned since 1947. He quickly suspended constitutional and civil rights upon taking office on 15 August 1954. With the army and military police, who acted as a secret police, he instituted a period of authoritarian rule and violent political repression (especially of opponents, whose parties were nominally legalized in 1962). From the 1958 through the 1988 elections, Stroessner maintained power by electoral fraud. The Constitution of 1967, introduced on 25...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Source: Wikipedia