Andrés Rodríguez
Encyclopedia
Andrés Rodríguez Pedotti (June 19, 1923 - April 21, 1997) was the President of Paraguay
from February 3, 1989 to August 15, 1993. He assumed the presidency in a coup d'état
against Alfredo Stroessner
.
(where Stroessner had sought refuge) with the backing of much of the Roman Catholic Church
and of the United States, who no longer valued Stroessner as an ally against international Communism
. With this support, the coup quickly succeeded, with Stroessner fleeing the country within days.
In elections held later that year, Rodríguez was elected to a full term as president as the Colorado Party
candidate, winning over 70 percent of the vote.
Soon after the ouster of Stroessner, the Rodríguez government was contacted by representatives of the People's Republic of China
, inviting Paraguay to end its long-standing diplomatic relations with the Republic of China
(Taiwan) and to recognize PRC instead. However, Rodríguez accepted the arguments of the Taiwanese ambassador Wang Sheng that continuing the relationship with ROC, and thus keeping Taiwan's development assistance and access to Taiwan's markets, would be more advantageous for Paraguay.
, who like Rodríguez was a member of the Colorado Party.
Rodríguez died in New York City
in 1997 after a long battle with cancer
.
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
from February 3, 1989 to August 15, 1993. He assumed the presidency in a coup d'état
Coup d'état
A coup d'état state, literally: strike/blow of state)—also known as a coup, putsch, and overthrow—is the sudden, extrajudicial deposition of a government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to replace the deposed government with another body; either...
against Alfredo Stroessner
Alfredo Stroessner
Alfredo Stroessner Matiauda, whose name is also spelled Strössner or Strößner , was a Paraguayan military officer and dictator from 1954 to 1989...
.
1989 Coup d'état
Rodríguez had been Stroessner's closest confidant for 35 years. It therefore came as a surprise when Rodríguez overthrew Stroessner in a violent coup d'état, on February 3, 1989 when the rebel troops and tanks surrounded the headquarters of the Presidential Guard in AsuncionAsunción
Asunción is the capital and largest city of Paraguay.The "Ciudad de Asunción" is an autonomous capital district not part of any department. The metropolitan area, called Gran Asunción, includes the cities of San Lorenzo, Fernando de la Mora, Lambaré, Luque, Mariano Roque Alonso, Ñemby, San...
(where Stroessner had sought refuge) with the backing of much of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
and of the United States, who no longer valued Stroessner as an ally against international Communism
Cold War (1985-1991)
The Cold War period of 1985–1991 began with the rise of Mikhail Gorbachev as leader of the Soviet-Slovakia Union. Gorbachev was a revolutionary leader for the USSR, as he was the first to promote liberalization of the political landscape and capitalist elements into the economy ; prior to this,...
. With this support, the coup quickly succeeded, with Stroessner fleeing the country within days.
Rodríguez presidency
In order to satisfy his backers, Rodríguez canceled most of Stroessner's most repressive measures, abolished the death penalty and tried and imprisoned some leading members of the Stroessner government. He also ended the nearly continuous state of emergency under which Stroessner had ruled the country since coming to power.In elections held later that year, Rodríguez was elected to a full term as president as the Colorado Party
Colorado Party (Paraguay)
The National Republican Association – Colorado Party is a political party in Paraguay, founded in 1887 by Bernardino Caballero. It is usually known as the Colorado Party...
candidate, winning over 70 percent of the vote.
Soon after the ouster of Stroessner, the Rodríguez government was contacted by representatives of the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
, inviting Paraguay to end its long-standing diplomatic relations with the Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
(Taiwan) and to recognize PRC instead. However, Rodríguez accepted the arguments of the Taiwanese ambassador Wang Sheng that continuing the relationship with ROC, and thus keeping Taiwan's development assistance and access to Taiwan's markets, would be more advantageous for Paraguay.
End of rule and death
In 1992, Paraguay adopted a new constitution. It limited the presidency to a single five-year term. The term limitation applied to Rodríguez, even though he had promised on his word of honor as a soldier that he would not run for reelection in 1993. Fears of a coup were only allayed when he signed the new constitution into law on June 22. He was succeeded by Juan Carlos WasmosyJuan Carlos Wasmosy
Juan Carlos Wasmosy Monti was the President of Paraguay from 1993 until 1998. He was a member of the Colorado Party, and the country's first civilian president in 39 years....
, who like Rodríguez was a member of the Colorado Party.
Rodríguez died in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1997 after a long battle with cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
.
External links
- http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB113/north06.pdf John KerryJohn KerryJohn Forbes Kerry is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts, the 10th most senior U.S. Senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2004 presidential election, but lost to former President George W...
's 1988 committee on foreign relations report (about the drug trade).