-Magdha-
05-01-2006, 04:53
Asunción, Paraguay - circa A.D. 2012
Since its inception as an independent nation-state in the year 1811, Paraguay had known little stability. Its history was fraught with military coups, which occurred more frequently and more times than in almost any other nation in history. National leaders came and went all the time, as one general ousted another, becoming strongman of the day before ousting by another general. Rare indeed was the Paraguayan leader who managed to remain in power for more than a few years. Indeed, remaining in office for 365 days was regarded as a laudable accomplishment. The tumultuous political landscape, and near absence of stability ensured that Paraguay remained one of the more backward and economically stagnant nations in the world. With the sole exception of General Alfredo Stroessner's reign, few if any periods of Paraguayan history were stable or peaceful. Stroessner had once been the longest-serving president in Latin American history, until the record was broken by Cuba's totalitarian autocrat Fidel Castro. Stroessner had come to power in 1954 and ruled with an iron-fist until being ousted in 1989. Like most Paraguayan presidents, Stroessner had attained power via a coup d'etat. Unlike most Paraguayan presidents, Stroessner lasted a long time. He also provided long-overdue, much-needed political stability and peace. Although political freedoms were sharply curtailed, and dissent became synonymous with suicide, Paraguayans were for the most part allowed to go about their lives freely. So long as they refrained from opposing the government, they were free to pretty much do what they wished. Crime was low, the country was a pro-Western bulwark against communism (Stroessner was one of the most militant anticommunists in history), and the political scene was stable and there was peace. However, Paraguay became (in)famous as one of the most corrupt countries in the world. At any rate, many became disenchanted with Stroessner's authoritarian rule, and hardly a tear was shed when he was ousted in early 1989. Most people rejoiced.
Their rejoice would not last.
After Stroessner, Paraguay began a steep, unending decline, politically, economically, and socially. Crime skyrocketed. The huge economic progress made by Stroessner was lost. Political instability and in-fighting reached an all-time high. Things became increasingly chaotic and frantic. In fact, things became so bad that many people began to long for the Stroessner days. Dictatorial he may have been, but at least Stroessner had provided stability and economic progress.
In 2012, Paraguay was worse off than ever. Triple-digit inflation, rampant crime, all-pervasive corruption (on par with Nigeria or Bangladesh), and virtual anarchy (between 2007 and 2012, there had been no less than nine coup attempts, three presidents assassinated, and a brief mini-civil war in 2009) were the norm. Street gangs hacked each other to pieces in broad daylight, as police stood idly by. Riots and strikes were frequent, lootings occurred daily (the police themselves were more often than not participants), and infrastructure virtually collapsed. The scene was ripe for change.
In 2012, a relatively unknown right-wing politician, Alfonso Portocarrero Mora, had founded a new political party, the Partido Stronato, or Stronato Party (Stronato was the name given to the era of Stroessner's rule). 2012 also happened to be the year Alfredo Stroessner, still alive though in frail condition, turned 100 years old. The party platform strongly emphasized law and order, the economy, and the incompetence and corruption of politicians. The party pledged that, if elected, crime, corruption, instability, and poverty would be things of the past. Their motto was "Stability, progress, peace." They promised to "revive the legacy of the great Alfredo Stroessner Mattiauda, and create a new Paraguay, a Paraguay we can all be proud of."
With things growing worse (in 2012, the crime rate increased by 37%, Paraguay had jumped from 3rd most corrupt country in the world to 1st most corrupt, and inflation had nearly doubled), more and more people were receptive to the party's grandiose promises, and eagerly joined. Portocarrero's fiery oratory, larger-than-life charisma, and rock-solid personal integrity appealed to many, influencing even people who rejected his political platform. The other parties were largely inefficient and corrupt, regarded as little more than gangs of criminals. All had lackluster, bland, colorless politicians with no obvious talents or flair. To no one's surprise, the Partido Stronato swept to victory in the election that year. They won 74% of the seats in the National Assembly, and Portocarrero became president.
The first thing he did was declare a State of Emergency. The police and military were given almost unlimited power, and were ordered to "shoot on sight" all criminals, even those within their own ranks. Within weeks, the crime rate plummeted rapidly. The second thing he did was allow Stroessner to return to Paraguay after 23 years in exile. The third thing was to declare Paraguay a one-party state. The División Técnica de Represión del Comunismo was revived, and persecution of communists proceeded at full force. Political and civil liberties were sharply curtailed, and thousands were arrested, hundreds were killed. Within six months, President Portocarrero had managed to impose law and order on the entire country.
But at what price?
Since its inception as an independent nation-state in the year 1811, Paraguay had known little stability. Its history was fraught with military coups, which occurred more frequently and more times than in almost any other nation in history. National leaders came and went all the time, as one general ousted another, becoming strongman of the day before ousting by another general. Rare indeed was the Paraguayan leader who managed to remain in power for more than a few years. Indeed, remaining in office for 365 days was regarded as a laudable accomplishment. The tumultuous political landscape, and near absence of stability ensured that Paraguay remained one of the more backward and economically stagnant nations in the world. With the sole exception of General Alfredo Stroessner's reign, few if any periods of Paraguayan history were stable or peaceful. Stroessner had once been the longest-serving president in Latin American history, until the record was broken by Cuba's totalitarian autocrat Fidel Castro. Stroessner had come to power in 1954 and ruled with an iron-fist until being ousted in 1989. Like most Paraguayan presidents, Stroessner had attained power via a coup d'etat. Unlike most Paraguayan presidents, Stroessner lasted a long time. He also provided long-overdue, much-needed political stability and peace. Although political freedoms were sharply curtailed, and dissent became synonymous with suicide, Paraguayans were for the most part allowed to go about their lives freely. So long as they refrained from opposing the government, they were free to pretty much do what they wished. Crime was low, the country was a pro-Western bulwark against communism (Stroessner was one of the most militant anticommunists in history), and the political scene was stable and there was peace. However, Paraguay became (in)famous as one of the most corrupt countries in the world. At any rate, many became disenchanted with Stroessner's authoritarian rule, and hardly a tear was shed when he was ousted in early 1989. Most people rejoiced.
Their rejoice would not last.
After Stroessner, Paraguay began a steep, unending decline, politically, economically, and socially. Crime skyrocketed. The huge economic progress made by Stroessner was lost. Political instability and in-fighting reached an all-time high. Things became increasingly chaotic and frantic. In fact, things became so bad that many people began to long for the Stroessner days. Dictatorial he may have been, but at least Stroessner had provided stability and economic progress.
In 2012, Paraguay was worse off than ever. Triple-digit inflation, rampant crime, all-pervasive corruption (on par with Nigeria or Bangladesh), and virtual anarchy (between 2007 and 2012, there had been no less than nine coup attempts, three presidents assassinated, and a brief mini-civil war in 2009) were the norm. Street gangs hacked each other to pieces in broad daylight, as police stood idly by. Riots and strikes were frequent, lootings occurred daily (the police themselves were more often than not participants), and infrastructure virtually collapsed. The scene was ripe for change.
In 2012, a relatively unknown right-wing politician, Alfonso Portocarrero Mora, had founded a new political party, the Partido Stronato, or Stronato Party (Stronato was the name given to the era of Stroessner's rule). 2012 also happened to be the year Alfredo Stroessner, still alive though in frail condition, turned 100 years old. The party platform strongly emphasized law and order, the economy, and the incompetence and corruption of politicians. The party pledged that, if elected, crime, corruption, instability, and poverty would be things of the past. Their motto was "Stability, progress, peace." They promised to "revive the legacy of the great Alfredo Stroessner Mattiauda, and create a new Paraguay, a Paraguay we can all be proud of."
With things growing worse (in 2012, the crime rate increased by 37%, Paraguay had jumped from 3rd most corrupt country in the world to 1st most corrupt, and inflation had nearly doubled), more and more people were receptive to the party's grandiose promises, and eagerly joined. Portocarrero's fiery oratory, larger-than-life charisma, and rock-solid personal integrity appealed to many, influencing even people who rejected his political platform. The other parties were largely inefficient and corrupt, regarded as little more than gangs of criminals. All had lackluster, bland, colorless politicians with no obvious talents or flair. To no one's surprise, the Partido Stronato swept to victory in the election that year. They won 74% of the seats in the National Assembly, and Portocarrero became president.
The first thing he did was declare a State of Emergency. The police and military were given almost unlimited power, and were ordered to "shoot on sight" all criminals, even those within their own ranks. Within weeks, the crime rate plummeted rapidly. The second thing he did was allow Stroessner to return to Paraguay after 23 years in exile. The third thing was to declare Paraguay a one-party state. The División Técnica de Represión del Comunismo was revived, and persecution of communists proceeded at full force. Political and civil liberties were sharply curtailed, and thousands were arrested, hundreds were killed. Within six months, President Portocarrero had managed to impose law and order on the entire country.
But at what price?