STROESSNER, ALFREDO

born Nov. 3, 1912, Encarnacin, Paraguay military leader who became president of Paraguay after leading an army coup in 1954. His presidency, which lasted until his overthrow in a coup in 1989, was the longest period of unbroken rule by one individual in a Latin-American country in the 20th century. Stroessner, the son of a German immigrant, attended the Military College in Asuncin and was commissioned in the Paraguayan army in 1932. He rose through the ranks to become general and in 1951 was made commander in chief of the armed forces. In 1954 he deposed President Federico Chvez and later assumed the presidency after an election in which he was the sole candidate for the office. Stroessner attempted to placate the rural poor and urban labourers and at the same time supported the interests of the large landholders and businessmen. His administration stabilized the currency, moderated inflation, and provided some new schools, public health facilities, and roads; half of the national income, however, was spent on a military establishment necessary to preserve his authority. During Stroessner's presidency, Paraguay participated in the building of the massive Itaip Dam along the BrazilParaguay border in 197582. Stroessner's supporters dominated the nation's legislature and courts and had the constitution modified in 1967 and 1977 to legitimize his six consecutive elections to the presidency. His administration was accused of harsh suppression of its political opponents. He was elected to an eighth successive term as president in 1988 but was overthrown by a military coup in 1989. He thereupon went into exile abroad.