POLITICAL SITUATION IN PARAGUAY

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 02871491
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: July 9, 2021
• Case Number: F-2020-01817
• Publication Date: January 12, 1954

Approved for Release: 2021/07/08 CO2871491
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
This Document contains information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the United States, within the mean-
ing of Title 18, Sections 793 and 794, of the U.S. Code, as
amended. Its transmission or revelation of its contents
to or receipt by an unauthorized person is prohibited
by law. The reproduction of this form is prohibited.
COUNTRY
Paraguay
REPORT NO.
(b)(3)
SUBJECT
Political Situation in Paraguay
DATE DISTR.
January
1954
NO. OF PAGES 1
DATE OF INFO. 4 January 1954
PLACE ACQUIRED
THE SOURCE
THE
SOURCE:
REQUIREMENT NO.
REFERENCES
RD
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
1. Despite a declaration of unity and support of President CRAVES issued
by the governing board of the Colorado Party on 4 January 1.954, and
signed by Party leaders including Epifanio MENDEZ Fleitas President
of the Banco Central, Tomas ROMERO Pereira, Minister of Interior,
Guillermo ENCISO Velloso, Minister of Hacienda, and Angel Florentin
PENA, Minister of Agriculture, the Paraguayan political crisis is not
yet settled* The declaration may be genuine, but it also may be a mere
blind to pretend to show Party solidarity.
2. The crisis is strictly within the Colorado Party. It began on 31 December,
when MENDEZ Fleitas and Florentin PEAA approached General Alfredo Stroessner,
Chief of _Armed Forces, with a plan to put ROMERO Pereira into the presi-
dency, thus ousting. President CHAVES. Stroessner immediately informed
CHAVES and demanded MENDEZ' removal from the bank, at the same time recom-
mending the dismissal of ROMERO Pereira, ENCISO Velloso, and Colonel Esteban
LOPEZ Martinez, Chief of Police, from their governmental posts. Pending
CRAVES' decision to act otherwise, the four continue in their posts. No
military' action is expected.
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
The Colorado Party and the Army side with CRAVES. The Army is opposed to
MENDEZ Fleitas because of his influence among certain military factions and
his efforts to enhance his own political power. These army factions and the
police represent the only possible support for the oppositionists, and their
strength is not considered sufficient to effect any change in the government.2
However, Manuel FRUTOS, leader of a Colorado faction, whom CRAVES wants to
appoint as Chief Justice, was placed under house arrest by police on 4 January
1954.
1.
SWIsitrIP
(b)(3)
Approved for Release: 2021/07/08 CO2871491