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By Anibal Miranda

Summary

In this working paper, Anibal Miranda tells the story of U.S. relations with Paraguay during the Eisenhower years. Piecing together State Department documents and media reports, Miranda elaborates how the Cold War context and fear of Soviet influence in Latin America influenced Washington's approach to the region and its support for General Alfredo Stroessner's military coup, in particular. She writes, "Washington gave special attention to preparing and equipping indigenous military forces in each nation to the south, so that when rebel or anti-U.S. movements emerged, they could be eliminated before taking power. Stroessner fit the role perfectly: he had impeccable anti-Communist credentials; he was very friendly to the U.S. and proved capable enough to work with them; he was effective as both military officer and political operator. Moreover, he was willing to lean toward Brazil, not Argentina. Brazil had maintained the status of U.S. privileged partner in the Southern Cone since World War II. Just as the Somozas, Trujillo, Batista, and several other army officers were fittingly performing as Washington surrogates in their respective countries, so did Stroessner demonstrate that he could play a similar role in Paraguay given adequate support. Stroessner understood what the Americans wanted, and they in turn came to rely on the diligent general."

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