Alfredo Stroessner Matiauda (born November 3, 1912) is a former politician and general from Paraguay who served as President of that country from 1954 to 1989.

Early life

Stroessner was born in Encarnación; his father, Hugo, was an accountant for a brewery who emigrated from Germany; his mother, Heriberta Matiauda, was a Paraguayan national. His name is spelled either Stroessner, Strössner or Strößner. At the age of 17, Stroessner joined the Paraguayan army and became a lieutenant two years later. He fought in the Chaco War against Bolivia in 1932, and over the subsequent years he rose steadily in rank. In 1948 he attained the rank of brigadier general and became the youngest general officer in South America.

Stroessner became overcommendant of the army and in 1954 he was appointed to Divisions general and later forced Federico Chavez out of office with a military coup. Stroessner became president and then was re-elected to 8 consecutive terms (in 1958, 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988). In many of these elections, he was either the sole candidate, or the fairness of the election was heavily disputed. He stayed in power for 35 years, with only Fidel Castro having a longer tenure among 20th century Latin American heads of state.

Politics

Stroessner was a very energetic leader and reportedly started his working days at 4:00 by giving orders from his bed and going to work in the government palace no later than 6:00; although he took a 3 hour break at mid-day, Stroessner reportedly worked until 1:00 and never took a vacation during his rule.

Stroessner despised communism and his regime thus found itself friendly to United States interests. During Stroessner's rule, no communist nations had embassies in Paraguay, with the sole exception of Yugoslavia. He was also respected for the financial discipline of his policy of re-paying loans granted to the Paraguayan government by the World Bank and other institutions and thus keeping the currency stable. The friendship with the U.S. continued for many years until the Reagan Administration began to boycott his regime and country.

As a statesman, Stroessner made numerous state visits, including to Emperor Hirohito of Japan, President Johnson of the United States, President Charles de Gaulle of France and several visits to West Germany, although over the years his relations with West Germany soured. Since he had always been known as pro-German, this worsening of relations, combined with his feeling that the U.S. had abandoned him, were regarded as personal blows to Stroessner.

Although Stroessner was a very strict autocrat, he did become more tolerant of political opposition over the course of time. However, it is estimated by some that his regime, which took part in Operation Condor with Augusto Pinochet and Jorge Rafael Videla, cost the lives of between 400 and 3000 people due to strong-arm tactics during his 35 year rule. His regime is also blamed for torture, kidnappings and widespread corruption, of which the "terror archives", discovered in 1992 in Lambaré suburb of Asunción, gave proofs; he has not disputed charges of corruption at some levels in his government. Stroessner also had very poor relations with the Roman Catholic Church and is blamed for numerous actions against the church; some maintain that the Catholic Church is the only reason Stroessner did not have absolute control over the country.

Stroessner showed definite sympathies to ex-Nazis, as he allegedly granted asylum and hid numerous ex-Nazis in Paraguay, including the infamous Dr. Josef Mengele, after the Second World War. The Mengele Affair resulted in a great deal of very bad press for Stroessner and he was heavily criticized by the world media for his alleged involvement. His regime also lost foreign support because of the genocidal acts it committed against Aché Indians by New Tribes Mission. Some were tortured in the infamous Tecnica torture center as well.

Stroessner was, however, known for several positive economic policies, including the building of the largest hydroelectric power plant in the world, with which he exported electricity to other countries, developing Paraguay's economy. He was also known for many infrastructure projects that improved the country's highway system. Another program that Stroessner supported was the granting of twenty hectares of arable lands for a nominal price to any soldier who completed military service, provided that the soldier would use the land for farming purposes. Over 10,000 soldiers took up this offer.

Downfall

In 1989, after 35 years in power, Stroessner was ousted by a coup d'état led by General Andrés Rodriguez, and he fled to Brazil, where he is currently living in exile.

The eastern city Puerto Flor de Lis was renamed Puerto Presidente Stroessner in his honour, but in 1989 was then again renamed Ciudad del Este.

Paraguayans remain divided on Stroessner and his controversial legacy. Many feel a strong sense of distaste toward him, perceiving him as a widely corrupt, authoritarian dictator. However, those who defend his legacy cite the political stability and economic progress that prevailed under his rule.

Source

• Paraguay Under Stroessner, by Paul H. Lewis
• Stroessner Era: Authoritarian Rule in Paraguay by Carlos R. Miranda

1912 births | Anti-communism | Cold War | Living people | Operation Condor | Presidents of Paraguay | Past leaders by coup | Roman Catholic politicians

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