Stroessner, Alfredo

Stroessner, Alfredo (1912-2006), Paraguayan military leader and 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 in an army coup and assumed the presidency following an election in which he was the only candidate. 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 members of the Nazi Party found refuge in the country. Although supportive of large landowners and international commercial interests, Stroessner used foreign aid to stabilize the currency, reduce inflation, and develop schools, highways, hospitals, and hydro-electric power. He held the presidency continuously from 1954 until he was ousted in 1989 by a military coup, after which he fled abroad to Brazil as an exile.