National

Paraguay's disappeared: A dictator's shadow is a roadblock for justice, but a few keep up the fight

Feb 03, 2025

Asuncion [Paraguay], February 3: Despite being ousted in 1989 after a 35-year reign of terror, during which 20,000 people were tortured, executed or disappeared.
Some Paraguayans feel as if Gen. Alfredo Stroessner never truly left.
"This is probably the only country in which the political party that supported a dictator, once he is gone, remains in power," said Alfredo Boccia, a researcher of Paraguay's history. "That's why scrutiny took so long, most disappeared were never found and there were barely trials."
Disappearances are a known phenomena in Latin America. The numbers in Argentina and Chile might have gained the most visibility, but thousands more have vanished elsewhere under dictatorships and armed conflicts.
Paraguayans with missing loved ones face a unique struggle, though. While Stroessner has been long gone, his legacy remains a roadblock to their searching.
Source: Fijian Broadcasting Corporation

More news

Singer Chris Brown pleads guilty over bottle attack at a London nightclub

Washington [US], July 26: The affray charge accepted by the defendants states that "Chris Brown and Omololu Akinlolu on February 19 2023 used or threatened unlawful violence towards another and their conduct taken together was such as would cause a person of reasonable firmness present at the scene to fear for his personal safety."

Jul 26, 2026