Paraguay Invaded From Argentina

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29193, 2 May 1960, Page 11

Paraguay Invaded From Argentina

ASUNCION (Paraguay), April 30. Armed invaders seeking to overthrow Paraguay’s dictator President, General Alfredo Stroessner, landed in south-eastern Paraguay yesterday, the Interior Ministry announced. The invaders apparently were Paraguayan political exiles.

A communique said one landing force, reported to number about 500 men, was turned back when it attacked the town of Puerto Carlos Antonio Lopez on the Parana river, but another column of about 50 men was reported to have captured the smaller town of Colonia Otano, about 10 miles away. Colonia Otano was defended by only five policemen, the report said. The Interior Ministry said these invaders came from Argentina’s Misiones Province.

Earlier reports said Government planes bombed the rebels, who were described as being armed with. Argentine weapons. The scene of the invasion was on the upper reaches of the Parana river, which forms the boundary between Paraguay and Argentina’s Misiones Province. Calm prevailed in the rest of Paraguay, it was stated officially Thousands of exiled Paraguayans live in Argentina and have made at least half a dozen attempts to overthrow General Stroessner, South America’s last remaining dictator, in the last six years.

Paraguayan sources in Argentina, quoted by American Associated Press, said several columns launched invasions from Brazil as well as Argentina. Military sources in Buenos Aires said the rebellion appeared to be on a bigger scale than that last December 12, when a rebel force of about 1000 was quickly defeated. The Interior Ministry said the attack on Puerto Carlos Antonio Lopez was defeated by the local garrison. It said the invaders suffered casualties but gave no figures.

President Stroessner took power in 1954 after an Army revolt he headed deposed President Federico Chaves. He was re-elected in 1958 in an uncontested general election that also gave all 60 seats in the legislature to his Colorado Party. The Colorado Party has dominated Paraguayan politics for the last 13 years, during which five Presidents have been overthrown by revolts or forced to resign. The Opposition Febrerista Party, a Leftist group, is not permitted to operate and the Communist Party is outlawed. ,

The Government was vigorously suppressing the invasion, it said.