Insurgency in Paraguay

Quick Facts: Who was Insurgency in Paraguay?

Subject:

Insurgency in Paraguay

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Ongoing low-level armed conflict in northeastern Paraguay, evolving from political dissent.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The insurgency in Paraguay, also known as the Paraguayan People's Army insurgency and the EPP rebellion (from the group's name in Spanish: Ejército del Pueblo Paraguayo), is an ongoing low-level armed conflict in northeastern Paraguay. Between 2005 and the summer of 2014, the EPP campaign resulted in at least 145 deaths, the majority of them local ranchers, private security guards, and police officers, along with several insurgents. During that same period the group perpetrated 28 kidnappings for ransom and a total of 85 "violent acts". The insurgency began in 2005, after several members of the Patria Libre party formed the Paraguayan People's Army (EPP). The Government of Paraguay suspects the EPP has ties to the Colombian rebel group FARC.

Career & Major Achievements

Two splinter groups of the EPP, the Armed Peasant Association (ACA) and the Army of Marshal López (EML), have also launched separate armed campaigns against the government. The 1989 fall of the Stroessner dictatorship in Paraguay fueled the rapid development of previously banned, left-wing political groups. In 1990 current EPP leader Oviedo Britez enrolled in the theology faculty of the Catholic University of Asuncion. In 1992 Britez was expelled from the theology study course, becoming increasingly interested in political change through revolutionary armed struggle. Britez, Juan Arrom Suhurt and Britez's fiancée Carmen Villalba soon created the core of Partido Patria Libre, Paraguayan People's Army's precursor.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Between 1995 and 1996 Britez and Villalba allegedly received military training from Chile's Manuel Rodríguez Patriotic Front. In 1997 MPL carried its first act of expropriation by unsuccessfully attempting a bank robbery in the town of Choré. All six robbers were detained by a local police unit, and later received a three-year sentence. Following the release of its members in early 2000, MPL launched a recruiting campaign and adopted kidnapping as its main source of funds. Its first significant action was the 2001 kidnapping of María Edith Bordón de Debernardi.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1989: 1989 Milestone — The 1989 fall of the Stroessner dictatorship in Paraguay fueled the rapid development of previously banned, left-wing political groups.
2. 1990: 1990 Milestone — In 1990 current EPP leader Oviedo Britez enrolled in the theology faculty of the Catholic University of Asuncion.
3. 1992: 1992 Milestone — In 1992 Britez was expelled from the theology study course, becoming increasingly interested in political change through revolutionary armed struggle.
4. 1995: 1995 Milestone — Between 1995 and 1996 Britez and Villalba allegedly received military training from Chile's Manuel Rodríguez Patriotic Front.
5. 1997: 1997 Milestone — In 1997 MPL carried its first act of expropriation by unsuccessfully attempting a bank robbery in the town of Choré.
6. 2000: 2000 Milestone — Following the release of its members in early 2000, MPL launched a recruiting campaign and adopted kidnapping as its main source of funds.
7. 2001: 2001 Milestone — Its first significant action was the 2001 kidnapping of María Edith Bordón de Debernardi.
8. 2005: 2005 Milestone — Between 2005 and the summer of 2014, the EPP campaign resulted in at least 145 deaths, the majority of them local ranchers, private security guards, and police officers, along with several insurgents.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Insurgency in Paraguay

True or False: “The EPP insurgency was solely funded through state sponsorship following the fall of the Stroessner dictatorship.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While political shifts fueled its rise, the group financed itself through various means including kidnappings for ransom and drug trade operations.

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