Page "History of Paraguay" Paragraph 140

Perhaps the clearest example of cracks in Stroessner's regime was the assassination of Somoza.

From Stroessner's standpoint, there were ominous similarities between Somoza and himself.

Like Stroessner, Somoza had run a regime based on the military and a political party that had been noted for its stability and its apparent imperviousness to change.

Somoza also had brought economic progress to the country and had skillfully kept his internal opposition divided for years.

Ultimately, however, the carefully controlled changes he had introduced began subtly to undermine the traditional, authoritarian order.

As traditional society broke down in Paraguay, observers saw increasing challenges ahead for the Stroessner regime.