Some History of Paraguay:
The purpose of the history of Paraguay so everyone who’s interested could learn the way I [Charles Bray] did.
After independence from Spain in 1811, the Paraguayan nation soon became an important power in South America. But between 1865 and 1870, it lost some three-quarters of its million-plus population in bloody warfare against the combined forces of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. Many of those who died in battle were women. By the war’s end only about 28,000 adult men and 2000,000 women remained.
Just sixty-two years later, in 1932, Paraguay embarked on another reckless war, this time against Bolivia. The two countries were fighting for the Gran Chaco territory in the north, which was believed at that time to contain oil. Paraguay won and took half the Gran Chaco, but lost 40,000 men; its hard-won territory has so far yielded no oil.

The wars and a series of repressive governments have left Paraguay among the poorest countries in Latin America, in spite of its considerable natural resources. When General Alfredo Stroessner deposed President Federico Chavez in 1954, his new government brought political stability for some time, but it was not noted for respecting human rights. It crushed all internal opposition and maneuvered its way into external political isolation. And so he, too, was overthrown by bloody coup in 1989.

In June 1992 a new constitution, which forbids re-election of the president, was approved as Paraguay moved towards democracy and attempted to redress such problems as the land question and a redistribution of the budget. [In 1991 more than one-third of total public expenditure was absorbed by security services but fewer than 5 per cent went to health and education.]
Paraguay’s first fully democratic elections were held in May 1993, bringing victory to the Colorado Party candidate Juan Carlos Wasmosy. The next year was marked by several months of rural strife and the country’s first general strike in 35 years. The peasants demanded land reform and state subsidies; the strike was in support of worker’s demands for a 40 per cent pay rise and an end to the privatization of state companies.

In view of Paraguay’s turbulent history it is not surprising that the economy developed slowly after an initial spurt in the mid-19th century. Its export potential has always been hampered because it has no coastline and therefore no deepwater ports, although vessels of up to 1700 tones are able to sail about 1600 km [1000 miles] up the Paraguay River [total length 2549 km. 1584 miles] to dock at Asuncion, the capital.
Its fertile land is gradually being used more productively, and cotton, Soya, maize and wheat are grown. The tropical forests in the east yield valuable hardwoods. In the 1960s cattle ranching became a major export industry, and it still is the most important.

Paraguay consists of two provinces divided by the Paraguay River, Oriental and Occidental. To the west is the Chaco, a vast, river-drained, alluvial expanse of swamp, grassland and dry woodlands. The Chaco in turn consists of three regions. Beside the Paraguay is the Low Chaco, open palm forest and marshland where there are huge cattle ranches. The Middle Chaco, mainly scrubland, is the home of the Mennonites, a Christian sect who have developed their highly organized communities since 1900 when they started arriving from Germany, Canada and Russia.
In the extreme north-west, against the Bolivian border, is the Gran Chaco, covered mainly with an impenetrable forest of small thorn trees and designated a national park to preserve the wildlife.

Only 4 per cent of Paraguay’s 5 million populations, in which 90 per cent of whom are Mestizos [of mixed Spanish and Amerindian ancestry]. Live on the Chaco. The rest live east of the Paraguay River where there are rolling hills, fertile plains, grassland and dense woods.
On the river it lies Asuncion, Paraguay’s only big city. The fastest growing town is Cuidad Del Este [previously called Puerto Presidente Stroessner]. Which is situated close to the world’s biggest hydroelectric dam at Itaipu on the Parana River. The country gets a staggering 99 per cent of its electricity needs from hydroelectric power.
For most of the rural population, about 52 per cent of the total, life is hard. Their land holdings are very small and many have large families to support. The birthrate is high and despite a high infant mortality rate, a tide of youngsters is swelling the population, 40 per cent of whom are under 14 years old.

In November 20th 1997, supporters and opponents of the fugitive Paraguayan presidential candidate, Lino Oviedo, have been involved in violent scenes at the headquarters of the ruling Colorado Party in the capita Asuncion. A number of party officials were injured, and riot police were deployed to restore order. The leadership of the party is considering whether to expel Mr. Oviedo, accusing him of anti-democratic behavior. His arrest was ordered by the President, Juan Carlos Wasmosy, last month, and since then he's been in hiding. Last year Mr. Oviedo was accused of leading an attempted coup, and stripped of his military rank.

In March 10th 1998, in a long-awaited judgment, a military tribunal in Paraguay has sentenced the presidential candidate for the ruling Colorado party, Lino Oviedo, to ten years in jail on a charge of leading an attempted coup in 1996. Mr. Oviedo, who has been in detention since December, was tried for refusing to comply with President Wasmosy's order two years ago to resign as the army's chief of staff. His rebellion failed after strong international pressure, and since then, he and the president have been sworn enemies. Despite bitter opposition from President Wasmosy and other leaders in the ruling party, the rank and file selected him as their candidate for presidential elections last September. The governing Colorado Party in Paraguay has named a new candidate for presidential elections scheduled for May following Lino Oviedo's conviction. The new candidate, Raul Cubas Grau, was previously the party's nominee for the vice-presidency.

In July 8th 1998 President Menem of Argentina met with his Paraguayan counterpart, Juan Carlos Wasmosy, on the Parana River to officially inaugurate the hydro-electric project on the common border between the two countries. It has taken 23 years to reach this stage, but the dam - one of the world's biggest civil engineering projects - is far from complete. The Yacyreta dam has so far cost $8bn, but it is estimated that another $600m will be needed to finish the project. Until then, it will work at 60% capacity. Still, the electricity expected to be generated from the plant will from today provide Argentina with about 15% of its total energy needs.

In August 16th 1998, the new President of Paraguay, Raul Cubas, has pledged to fight corruption and to improve the welfare of the country's people. Mr. Cubas was sworn in on Saturday to succeed President Juan Carlos Wasmosy for a five-year term. It is the first time in Paraguay's history that power has been handed from one elected civilian president to another. In his inaugural speech, Mr. Cubas promised "to leave a better organized country, which would be less plagued with inequalities than the one I am receiving". Mr. Cubas, who was elected on 10 May, estimates corruption has cost the country more than $2bn since 1996. He said: "In five years time, God willing, you will bid farewell to an outgoing president who had the courage of making decisions, who did not protect criminals, who fought corruption, who supported the end of impunity, and who worried about the well-being of his people." Afterwards, he named his first cabinet, appointing his brother Carlos as the industry and commerce minister. The defense ministry will be run by retired General Jose Segovia Boltes. A former police chief, Ruben Arias, will take over the interior ministry.

In March 23rd 1999, the Vice-President of Paraguay, Luis Maria Argana, has been assassinated. One of the Vice-President's aides Jose Alberto Planas said Mr. Argana was hit by about ten bullets in a grenade and shooting attack on his car. Police said Mr. Argana was attacked by gunmen wearing camouflage uniforms as he drove to his office in the capital, Asuncion. Mr. Argana headed a faction of Paraguay's ruling Colorado Party, and was a rival of the President, Raul Cubas, who had accused Mr. Argana of trying to oust him from office

In March 27th 1999, Tanks are reported to be on the streets of the Paraguayan capital, Asuncion - ordered there by President Raul Cubas after protesters demanding his removal from office clashed with police outside Congress. Paraguayan television and radio stations reported up to 10 tanks in the capital with one station saying shots were being fired into the air to deter protesters. Earlier, more than 50 people were reported injured in a battle between police and two opposing groups of demonstrators as the senate began impeachment proceedings against President Cubas. Same day At least four people are reported to have been killed and 40 injured in violent clashes between the supporters of the Paraguayan President, Raul Cubas, and demonstrators calling for his resignation. The violence occurred outside the Congress building where senators have started hearing impeachment proceedings once more. Earlier, the president ordered tanks, troops and riot police onto the streets of the capital, Asuncion, to quell the protests. Paraguay was plunged into crisis on Tuesday when the Vice-President, Luis Maria Argana, was assassinated. Opposition groups have blamed President Cubas for the killing.

In March 28th 1999, hundreds of mourners and protesters gathered in Asuncion on Sunday for the funeral of four people killed in recent political violence in the Paraguayan capital. Archbishop Felipe Santiago Benitez told the congregation at the city's cathedral that the recent violence was "a national shame". Protesters on the cathedral steps called for the resignation of President Raul Cubas, currently facing impeachment charges in the Senate. Supporters of the president have been blamed for firing into a crowd of demonstrators during the violent protests which rocked the capital on Friday, leaving more than 100 people injured. President Cubas responded by sacking the police chief responsible for the area.

In March 30th 1999, the new President of Paraguay, Luis Gonzalez Macchi, has sworn in his cabinet, which for the first time in more than 50 years includes members of the political opposition. The formation of a government of national unity follows the resignation on Sunday of President Raul Cubas and the end of a political crisis which centered on the fate of the former army commander, Lino Oviedo. Both Mr. Cubas and General Oviedo have been given political asylum in neighboring countries. This is a historic moment for Paraguay. For decades, through dictatorship and democracy, the landlocked South American republic has been dominated by the Colorado Party. Now, the two main opposition groupings also have places in the government. They control four ministries, including that of foreign affairs.

In March 6th 2000, at least thirty-seven people were killed in Paraguay when a bus and a truck carrying bricks collided. About ten other people were injured. The accident happened late on Sunday night near the Paraguayan town of Coronel Oviedo, about a-hundred-and-forty kilometers south of the capital, Asuncion. The cause of the accident is not yet known.

In March 28th 2000, at least two people have been shot and seriously injured in Paraguay in clashes with police during a protest by thousands of farm workers. The violence occurred as police tried to clear protestors from the streets in the northern town of Santa Rosa. The farm workers, who held a demonstration in the capital, Asuncion earlier this month, are pressing for better state assistance, improved credit conditions, and higher prices for their produce.

In August 24th 2000, Paraguay's Liberals have been celebrating their candidate's victory in the country's vice-presidential election, their first major electoral victory in more than 50 years. Julio Cesar Franco defeated his rival in the governing Colorado Party rival by a margin of fewer than 10,000 votes. The Colorado Party has governed Paraguay since the 1940s and it doesn't like losing. Between election night eleven days ago and the release of the final results, Colorado officials made strenuous attempts to prove that the poll had been rigged, but the authorities accepted only a few of their complaints. The previous vice-president, Luis Maria Argaña, was shot dead last year and this election was held to find a replacement. Mr. Argana's son, Felix, was the Colorado Party's candidate. The choice of the new vice-president is particularly significant as he is now the country's most senior elected official.

In October 25th 2000, judge in Paraguay has sentenced an army major and two other men to long prison terms for their role in the murder last year of Vice-President Luis Maria Arcane. Major General Reinaldo Servin and Constantino Rodas were sentenced to 25 years in prison, while Pablo Vera Esteche was given a 20-year sentence. The murder of Mr. Argana led Paraguay's president, Raul Cubas, and a former army chief, Lino Oviedo, to fleeto Brazil. General Oviedo faces possible extradition to Paraguay. He is accused of masterminding Mr. Argana's assassination, as well as a number of failed coup attempts. Luis Maria Argana was shot down in March last year, on a busy street of the capital, Asuncion. Mobile phones used by the accused to co-ordinate the murder left a trail which has now been used to convict them. Major Servin was found guilty of hiring gunmen to assassinate Mr. Argana, under orders from General Oviedo. Mr. Rodas was found guilty of providing the car used in the murder and Mr. Esteche admitted to having fired at the vice-president's chauffeur, who survived.

In March 8th 2001, in Paraguay, three government ministers have resigned following allegations that the president, Luis Gonzalez Macchi, is driving a stolen car smuggled into the country illegally. The resignations put further pressure on Mr. Gonzalez Macchi to carry out a full cabinet reshuffle and remove a colleague accused of procuring false papers for the car, a luxury BMW. Mr. Gonzalez Macchi denies any wrongdoing. But it comes after allegations that another minister has been involved in torture, and correspondents say it is a further blow to the president's credibility. According to Paraguayan police, well over half the cars on the roads in Paraguay have been brought into the country illegally.

In May 3rd 2001, the Paraguayan President, Luis Gonzalez Macchi, has accepted the resignation of the head of the country's central bank over a multi-million dollar corruption scandal. The bank, under its President, Washington Ashwell, was accused of involvement in the fraudulent transfer of $16m from a bankrupt Paraguayan bank to a private account in the United States. President Gonzales Macchi has appointed a 35-year-old economist, Raul Vera, as the new president of the bank. This is just the latest corruption scandal to hit the Paraguayan Government; earlier this year it was revealed that President Gonzalez Macchi was driving a car which had been stolen and smuggled from neighboring Brazil.

In September 25th 2001, Paraguayan prosecutors have asked a judge that 11 Arabs detained after the recent attacks in the United States be held on immigration charges. The 11 are among 17 Arabs detained in south eastern Paraguay on Friday. The authorities said it was too early to say whether any of them were linked to those involved in the US attacks. There is a large Arab community in the region, where Paraguay shares a border with Brazil and Argentina, and there have been periodic reports of Islamic militants living in the area.

In December 16th 2001, at least 25 prisoners have been killed and 250 injured in a fire and riot in an overcrowded jail in eastern Paraguay. Police say prisoners started the riot in protest at the shooting of an inmate by a guard The ensuing blaze engulfed two cellblocks at the prison in Ciudad del Este, 330 kilometers (205 miles) east of the capital Asuncion. The facility houses about 500 prisoners, but is designed to hold only 250. Fire services from Brazil and Argentina joined in the rescue effort and heavy machinery was used to punch holes in the prison walls. When firefighters finally controlled the blaze, they found only charred remains of some of the prisoners.

In July 16th 2002 Paraguay's president has declared a state of emergency amid violent anti-government protests which have left two people dead and dozens injured. The decree, issued by President Luis Gonzalez Macchi, suspends a series of civil rights - allowing the government to ban demonstrations and the military to suppress them by force. It must be ratified by congress within the next 48 hours. Police have used rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannon to break up protests in the capital of Asuncion, as well as in the cities of Encarcion and Ciudad del Este, where two people died and others - including an 11-year-old - were being treated for bullet wounds. The riots are the most violent in a series of protests against free market policies in the poverty-stricken South American country, which has been hit by the economic crisis in neighboring Argentina and Brazil's slumping economy. The protesters want the resignation of Mr. Gonzalez Macchi, who came to power in 1999 after the then president resigned following days of street rioting over a high-level assassination. The country has suffered from chronic political instability ever since a 35-year military dictatorship ended in 1989.

In September 17th 2002, at least 30 people were injured after Paraguay police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse people in the capital, Asuncion, who were demanding President Luis Gonzalez Macchi's resignation. The protesters - many thought to be supporters of Mr. Gonzalez Macchi's political rival Lino Oviedo - had gathered in the city's congressional plaza when police moved in. Four people were arrested in a crowd of up to 9,000 protesters, and a further 250 were detained. At least 11 police officers were also injured by flying stones and debris, according to police Chief Sixto Ramirez.

In November 22nd 2002, Paraguay's economic minister has resigned, following a dispute with Congress over its refusal to pass laws demanded by the International Monetary Fund in return for much-needed funds. James Spalding's decision to leave is the second high-profile resignation this week, after the country's central bank president stepped down on Wednesday. Mr. Spalding said: "I left feeling let down those lawmakers couldn't give their backing to this plan to pull the country from this grave crisis". The Paraguayan economy has slumped to its lowest level in 20 years, hit by rising unemployment and the financial crises in neighboring Argentina and Brazil. Mr. Spalding's resignation is another blow for Paraguay's president Luis Gonzalez Macchi, who has faced bitter street battles in recent months over the country's economic policies. It comes as Mr. Macchi was working with IMF officials on a possible deal to secure funds of $200m to cover the country's growing budget deficits

In April 28th 2003, Paraguay's ruling Colorado Party has won the presidency, extending a run of over half a century in power. Nicanor Duarte Frutos won about 38% of the vote, with almost all votes counted, well ahead of his nearest rivals. Paraguay's 2.4 million voters were also choosing a vice-president, a new parliament and 178 regional governors. "We're going to fight so that Paraguayans can feel proud of their leaders and their country," said Mr. Duarte, as results came in. Julio Cesar Franco, of the Liberal party, polled 23%, with Pedro Fadul, a conservative businessman running on the Beloved Fatherland ticket, reaching 22%. Unlike neighboring Argentina, which also voted for a new president on Sunday, Paraguay does not require an absolute majority for victory in presidential elections, so Mr. Duarte does not need to contest a second round run-off.

In January 27th 2004, Paraguay's president has refused to comment on reports that he is the target of an assassination plot. But President Nicanor Duarte Frutos, speaking on Monday after returning from a trip to Brazil, said the US had advised him to reinforce his security. He could give no further details, Mr. Duarte said, but American security experts would work with his own staff. Local media reported that intelligence services had uncovered a plot by six hired killers to target Mr. Duarte.

Media: The print and broadcast media air a range of views, including those of the opposition. But journalists involved in investigating corruption, or covering strikes and protests, risk intimidation and violent attack by the security forces. Media outlets and their owners sometimes face legal harassment.

President: Nicanor Duarte Frutos. Nicanor Duarte, from the ruling Colorado Party, won presidential elections in April 2003 with 38% of the vote. During his campaign he promised to crack down on crime and corruption, to create new jobs through public work programmers and to strive for efficiency in government. Mr. Duarte is a seasoned politician with a populist approach and a fiery public speaking manner. He joined the Colorado Party when he was 14 and served as education minister in the 1990s. A family man with five children, Mr. Duarte was brought up in the agricultural town of Coronel Oviedo. He studied law and political science before embarking on a career as a journalist.

Paraguay: It’s a hobby for Charles Bray to collecting the Paraguay money. One Guarani its 100 Centimos.