General Alfredo Stroessner, born on 03 November 1912, was president from Paraguay between 1954 and 1989.

Career

Alfredo Stroessner was born on 03 November 1912 in Encarncion, Paraguay; his father, Hugo was an accountant for a brewery who emigrated from Hof Germany; his mother, Heriberta Matiauda was a Paraguayan national. At the age of 17, Stroessner joined the army and became a lieutenant two years later. He fought in the Chaco War against Bolivia in 1922, and through the next years he rose steadily in rank. In 1948 he attained the rank of Brigadier General and became the youngest General in South America.

Stroessner became overcommendant of the Paraguayan Army and in 1954 he was appointed to Divisionsgeneral and later forced Fredrico Chevez 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), enjoying the longest rule in Latin America in the 20th Century, staying in power for 35 years.

Politics

Stroessner was a very energetic leader and reportedly started his working days at 04.oo by giving orders from his bed and going to work in the government palace no later than 06.oo; Wit exception for a 3 hour break at mid-day, Stroessner reportedly worked until 01.oo and never took a vacation during his rule.

Stroessner despised Communism and due to this his regime was friendly to US interests. He was also respected for his financial discipline for his policies of re-paying loans granted to the Paraguayan government by the World Bank and other institutions and thus keeping the currency stabile. The friendship with the USA 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 the Emperor of Japan, President Johnson, Charles de Gaulle and several visits to Germany, but through the years his relations with Germany eroded. As always being known as pro-German, the worsening of relations with Germany,, combined with his feeling that the USA abandoned him, were regarded as personal blows to Stroessner.

Although Stroessner was a very strict autocrat, he did become more tolerant of political opposition through the course of time. However, it is estimated by some that his regime cost the lives of between 400 and 3000 people due to his strong-arm tactics during his 35 year rule, and his regime is also blamed for torture, kidnappings and widespread corruption; charges of corruption at some levels in his government is something that he has not disputed. Stroessner also had very poor relations with the 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 caused a lot of very bad press for Stroessner and he was really punished by the world media for his alleged involvement.

Economic Policies

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, definitely improving Paraguay's economy. He was also known for many infrastructure projects that definitely improved the countries highway system. One more 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. In fact over 10,000 soldiers did use this to their advantage.

Downfall

In 1989, after his 35 year rule, Stroessner was ousted by a coup d'état led by General Andrés Rodriguez, and he fled to Brazil, where he was living in exile to 2006, when passed away.

Personal details

Stroessner was married in 1940 to native Paraguayan Eligia Mora Delgado, with whom he had 2 daughters and a son. His hobbies are hunting and fishing.