Alfredo Stroessner

Alfredo Stroessner (1912-2006), dictator-president of Paraguay (1954-1989), born in Encarnación, and educated at the Military College in Asunción. He distinguished himself in the Chaco War (1932-1935) and subsequently rose through the ranks to become commander in chief of the armed forces in 1951. In 1954 he ousted President Federico Chávez and assumed the presidency. Using the Colorado Party and the army for support, he gained total control over the country, forcibly suppressed his opposition, and censored the press; many deposed dictators and former Nazis found refuge in the country. Stroessner held the presidency continuously from 1954 until his ouster in a 1989 coup. He fled into exile in Brazil.