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Latinamerica@war #11
The 1989 Coup d'État in Paraguay: The End of a Long Dictatorship, 1954-1989
The year 1989 was crucial for Paraguay. After a long period of 35 years of dictatorship, General Alfredo Stroessner was finally overthrown by a violent coup d’état. In a sort of prophetic way, he once said …”I came to power by arms and I will only leave by arms” and that came true on 2 February of that year.
The 1989 Coup d’état in Paraguay discusses Stroessner’s climb to power during a coup of 1954, fraudulent elections that got him re-elected seven times, and the ways Stroessner kept himself afloat through cooperation with the armed forces, a right-wing political party, and the USA. Arguably, longing to maintain his popularity, the dictator launched a large number of major development projects, including construction of roads, water and sewage facilities, three big hydro-electrical power stations, and a build-up of an airline. At the same time, abuse of human rights and oppression of any kind of political opposition became a dozens of political prisoners were tortured and even executed, and thousands driven into exile.
As could be expected from a dictator with a military background, Stroessner prompted a major expansion and a build-up of the armed forces and the police, too. Nevertheless, it was the armed forces of Paraguay that brought about his the coup that finally ended Stroessner’s rule was planned by General Andres Rodriguez, the Commander of the I Army Corps – and then with full support of large segments of the Army, Air Force and the Navy of Paraguay.
A detailed description of the coup in question, and how Stroessner was driven into exile in Brazil, is the centrepiece of this narrative.
Thirty years since the fall of Stroessner’s regime, many things have changed in still, many remain the same.
Containing over 100 photographs, colour profiles, maps and extensive tables, ‘The 1989 Coup d’etat in Paraguay’ is a unique study and a source of reference about an important episode in Latin American history.
The 1989 Coup d’état in Paraguay discusses Stroessner’s climb to power during a coup of 1954, fraudulent elections that got him re-elected seven times, and the ways Stroessner kept himself afloat through cooperation with the armed forces, a right-wing political party, and the USA. Arguably, longing to maintain his popularity, the dictator launched a large number of major development projects, including construction of roads, water and sewage facilities, three big hydro-electrical power stations, and a build-up of an airline. At the same time, abuse of human rights and oppression of any kind of political opposition became a dozens of political prisoners were tortured and even executed, and thousands driven into exile.
As could be expected from a dictator with a military background, Stroessner prompted a major expansion and a build-up of the armed forces and the police, too. Nevertheless, it was the armed forces of Paraguay that brought about his the coup that finally ended Stroessner’s rule was planned by General Andres Rodriguez, the Commander of the I Army Corps – and then with full support of large segments of the Army, Air Force and the Navy of Paraguay.
A detailed description of the coup in question, and how Stroessner was driven into exile in Brazil, is the centrepiece of this narrative.
Thirty years since the fall of Stroessner’s regime, many things have changed in still, many remain the same.
Containing over 100 photographs, colour profiles, maps and extensive tables, ‘The 1989 Coup d’etat in Paraguay’ is a unique study and a source of reference about an important episode in Latin American history.
- GenresNonfiction
64 pages, Paperback
Published April 25, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 5, 2025
Este libro tiene muchos detalles sobre la dimensión militar del derrocamiento de Stroessner y da una reconstrucción de los movimientos tácticos y la secuencia de decisiones que definieron la caída del régimen.
Lo que me hace un poco de ruido es que el libro presenta un sesgo evidente en el prefacio y en la contextualización histórica. Se tiende a minimizar el régimen al reducir la figura de Stroessner a una serie de "defectos", contrapesados con menciones a logros en 35 años de gobierno. Entiendo que el objetivo del libro no es evaluar el aparato represivo ni explorar el impacto social, pero creo que es necesaria cierta ética a la hora de escribir sobre la dictadura. La insistencia en referirse a Stroessner como presidente o general, aunque parezca un detalle mínimo, puede introducir una lectura que desdibuje el carácter represivo del régimen. Recién en la conclusión aparece un reconocimiento más claro de que se trató de una dictadura. Esta simplificación también se ve en algunas figuras del golpe.
Siento que estas características limitan la profundidad del análisis y pueden desorientar a los que no estén familiarizados con la historia paraguaya. Creo que el libro podría ser una fuente accesible (el libro es muy corto y los datos están ordenados correctamente) para introducirse a la dinámica militar del golpe, siempre que se lo lea con una mirada crítica respecto a su marco interpretativo.
Lo que me hace un poco de ruido es que el libro presenta un sesgo evidente en el prefacio y en la contextualización histórica. Se tiende a minimizar el régimen al reducir la figura de Stroessner a una serie de "defectos", contrapesados con menciones a logros en 35 años de gobierno. Entiendo que el objetivo del libro no es evaluar el aparato represivo ni explorar el impacto social, pero creo que es necesaria cierta ética a la hora de escribir sobre la dictadura. La insistencia en referirse a Stroessner como presidente o general, aunque parezca un detalle mínimo, puede introducir una lectura que desdibuje el carácter represivo del régimen. Recién en la conclusión aparece un reconocimiento más claro de que se trató de una dictadura. Esta simplificación también se ve en algunas figuras del golpe.
Siento que estas características limitan la profundidad del análisis y pueden desorientar a los que no estén familiarizados con la historia paraguaya. Creo que el libro podría ser una fuente accesible (el libro es muy corto y los datos están ordenados correctamente) para introducirse a la dinámica militar del golpe, siempre que se lo lea con una mirada crítica respecto a su marco interpretativo.
December 13, 2021
This book - only a few short pages is a good book just on hte Coup itself. Exactly what the title says.
May 28, 2019
Little Known History
A succinct and clear breakdown of the rule and fall of Paraguayan dictator Stroessner including the reasons behind it and the events that transpired during it. Backed up by good detail, little seen photos, and great illustrations about a little known event and a poorly documented military.
There are some errors (one corrupted table, some typos, etc.) and it is shorter than the typical @War title, but well worth the price of admission for those looking for good information on the coup or the Paraguayan Armed Forces and their equipment.
A succinct and clear breakdown of the rule and fall of Paraguayan dictator Stroessner including the reasons behind it and the events that transpired during it. Backed up by good detail, little seen photos, and great illustrations about a little known event and a poorly documented military.
There are some errors (one corrupted table, some typos, etc.) and it is shorter than the typical @War title, but well worth the price of admission for those looking for good information on the coup or the Paraguayan Armed Forces and their equipment.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews