The state of siege, which had been renewed every three months since with a partial suspension from February to September , was allowed to lapse in April Opponents of the regime gave credit for the ending of the state of siege to the United States, which had kept pressure on the Stroessner administration.
However, allegations of widespread human rights abuses continued to be made. Part of this liberalization may have been in response to mounting criticism from the Roman Catholic Church, whose position moved closer to that of the various dissident groups. On 3 February Stroessner's year dictatorship came to an end at the hand of Gen.
There followed an immediate easing of restrictions on free speech and organization. Labor unions were recognized and opposition parties allowed to operate freely. In those elections, Colorado candidate Juan Carlos Wasmosy was elected to the presidency, the first time a civilian had become president through popular election since Paraguay had experienced an unprecedented transfer of political power through a constitution from one elected government to another.
Wasmosy began to push for economic liberalization, including the sale of state-owned enterprises, but it was unclear whether the military was willing to support such measures.
In April , General Lino Cesar Oviedo staged a brief rebellion when asked by Wasmosy to resign his post as army commander, but a coup was averted and Oviedo was eventually acquitted of charges of armed insurrection. Oviedo, now a civilian, has become the leader of an opposing faction of Wasmosy's Colorado Party.
Other than Oviedo's short-lived rebellion, however, no serious threats to Wasmosy's economic and political reforms have been offered. In fact, the more democratic environment was tested and proven in by the first general labor strike in 35 years. Although the government responded with some force to this first strike, subsequent strikes have been met with a much gentler governmental hand.
Unfortunately, the economy itself has been slow to respond to the new reforms. Cubas was closely associated with General Oviedo and the latter was linked to the political assassination. Cubas sought exile in Brazil and Oviedo sought refugee in Argentina.
Duarte has promised to fight corruption in his party and the country. He has sought to distance himself from former Colorado Party leaders and has sought to portray himself as a modernizer and democratizing leader that will open Paraguay to the world economy.
Most significant are the German Mennonites who settled here in the s and now number at over 25, More recently, Paraguay has garnered the interest of another distinctive religious group known as the Moonies, who controversially purchased huge tracts of land in the north of the country. It houses many interesting artifacts of Guarani mythology, many from the Jesuit period, as well as items from more recent history, including the Chaco and Paraguayan War.
Typical Paraguayan folk music derives from two separate traditions: the polka, which is of European origin and is generally upbeat, and the guarania, which has a slower, swaying beat and was created during the s. The initiator of this music was renowned Paraguayan musician Jose Asuncion Flores, who was influenced by tango music which he heard in neighboring Argentina.
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Lugo formed the centre-left Patriotic Alliance for Change and put land reforms and corruption at the heart of his manifesto. The following year the Colorado Party returned to power and tobacco billionaire, Horacio Cartes, was appointed president.
Did you know? Shaking hands is the usual form of greeting. Smoking is not allowed in cinemas and theatres. Dress tends to be informal and sportswear is popular. After that Paraguay became a democratic country. Today Paraguay is still a poor country but its economy is growing rapidly and there is reason to be optimistic.
In the population of Paraguay was 7. Previous post. Next post.
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