How did Alfredo Stroessner rule Paraguay from 1954 to 1989?

Alfredo Stroessner ruled Paraguay from 1954 to 1989 through an authoritarian regime characterized by political repression, economic stabilization, and military control. After seizing power in a 1954 coup, he maintained his position by ensuring the Colorado Party dominated all levels of government, frequently modifying the constitution to legitimize his consecutive reelections.12

His administration stabilized the currency and invested in public works, such as the Itaipú Dam, but these efforts were overshadowed by severe human rights violations. Stroessner utilized paramilitary forces to suppress dissent, censored the media, and forced opposition leaders into exile. His government also participated in Operation Condor, a clandestine campaign to eliminate political opponents across South America.12

By the 1980s, economic stagnation and internal factionalism within the Colorado Party weakened his grip on power. In 1989, he was overthrown in a military coup led by Gen. Andrés Rodríguez Pedotti.132