This political and military history of Paraguay chronicles the dictatorship of General Alfredo Stroessner from 1954 to the coup that overthrew him in 1989.
 
1989 was a crucial year for Paraguay. After thirty-five years of dictatorship, General Alfredo Stroessner was overthrown by a coup d’État. In this sweeping historical study, Paraguayan historian Antonio Luis Sapienza chronicles Stroessner’s rise to power during the coup of 1954; his long tenure maintained through fraudulent elections, military alliances, a right-wing political party, and assistance from the United States; and his eventual downfall.
 
While in power, Stroessner launched major development projects, improving roads, water and sewage facilities, and an airline. At the same time, abuse of human rights and oppression of political opposition became the norm. Dozens of political prisoners were tortured and even executed, and thousands driven into exile.
 
Like most dictators, Stroessner oversaw major expansions of the military and police. Nevertheless, it was Paraguay’s armed forces, led by General Andres Rodriguez, that brought a violent end to his rule. Sapienza provides a detailed analysis of the coup that sent Stroessner into exile in Brazil.
 
Extensively illustrated with photographs and maps, The 1989 Coup d’etat in Paraguay is a unique study of an important episode in Latin American history.