Pre-Columbian civilization in the fertile, wooded region that is now Paraguay consisted of numerous seminomadic, Guarani-speaking tribes of Indians, who were recognized for their fierce warrior traditions. They practiced a mythical polytheistic religion, which later proved amenable to blending with Christianity.
The Spanish explorer, Juan de Salazar founded Asuncion on the Feast Day of the Assumption, August 15, 1537. The city eventually became the center of a Spanish colonial province encompassing most of southern South America. Paraguay eventually declared its independence by overthrowing the local Spanish authorities in May 1811.
The country's formative years were dominated by three strong leaders: Jose Gaspar Rodriguez de Francia (1814-40), Carlos Antonio Lopez, (1841-62), and his son, Francisco Solano Lopez. The latter waged a war against Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil (War of the Triple Alliance, 1864-70) in which Paraguay lost half its population, and Brazilian troops subsequently occupied it until 1874. From 1880 until 1904, a succession of presidents governed Paraguay under the banner of the Colorado Party. The Liberal Party seized control of the government in 1904 and ruled, with only a brief interruption, until 1940.
Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Paraguayan politics were characterized by the Chaco war, civil war, dictatorships, and periods of extreme political instability. Gen. Alfredo Stroessner assumed power in May 1954. He was elected to complete the unexpired term of his predecessor and was subsequently reelected president in 1958, 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, and 1988.
He ruled the country almost continuously under the state-of-siege provision of the constitution. When invoked, usually in political cases, state-of-siege measures effectively set aside habeas corpus and other legal guarantees.
The Colorado Party, the military, and the government bureaucracy were the pillars of the Stroessner regime. The Liberal Party and the Revolutionary Febrerista Party, officially recognized in 1964, participated in the nationwide municipal elections in 1965. In 1966, another group of Liberals, known as the Radical Liberal Party, were permitted to participate, with other opposition parties, in the elections for delegates to a constituent constitutional convention. A new constitution was promulgated on August 25, 1967.
On February 3, 1989, General Stroessner was overthrown in a military coup headed by Gen. Andres Rodriguez, who scheduled presidential and congressional elections for May 1. He was nominated as Colorado Party candidate and easily won. Seven other political parties ran candidates even though some of the parties were new to the democratic process and had little time to organize effective campaigns. The next general elections are scheduled for 1993.
Current Political Conditions
Paraguay's two major traditional political parties, the Colorado and the Liberal Parties, have each ruled the country for prolonged periods. Fundamentally, little ideological difference exists between the two parties.
Following his 1989 coup, Gen. Rodriguez immediately began implementing his promises of bringing democracy and a respect for human rights to Paraguay. Newspapers and radio stations closed by Stroessner were allowed to reopen and broadcast freely. Previously unrecognized and newly created political parties were given legal status. Dozens of independent labor unions were recognized. Candidates for congressional seats and the presidency were allowed to campaign freely. All of the major opposition parties decided to participate in the May 1 elections.
The Colorado Party, as the highest vote getter, received two-thirds of the seats in each house of congress, 24 out of 36 seats in the Senate, and 48 out of 72 seats in the Chamber of Deputies. The PLRA received 19% of the ballots cast, thus obtaining 11 seats in the Senate and 21 in the chamber. The Febreristas obtained one seat in the Senate and 2 seats in the chamber while the Radical Liberal Party won a single seat in the chamber. All other parties were shut out.
Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Public Affairs, May 1990.