Page "History of Paraguay" Paragraph 92

Both groups were deeply factionalized, however, and very little ideology separated them, allowing.

Colorado and Liberal partisans to change sides whenever it proved advantageous.

While the Colorados reinforced their monopoly on power and spoils, Liberals called for reform.

Frustration provoked an aborted Liberal revolt in 1891 that produced changes in 1893, when war minister General Juan B. Egusquiza overthrew Caballero's chosen president, Juan G. González.

Egusquiza startled Colorado stalwarts by sharing power with the Liberals, a move that split both parties.

Ex-Legionnaire Ferreira, along with the cívico ( civic ) wing of the Liberals, joined the government of Egusquiza, who left office in 1898, to allow a civilian, Emilio Aceval, to become president.

Liberal radicales ( radicals ) who opposed compromising with their Colorado enemies boycotted the new arrangement.

Caballero, also boycotting the alliance, plotted to overthrow civilian rule and succeeded when Colonel Juan Antonio Ezcurra seized power in 1902.

This victory was Caballero's last, however.

In 1904, General Ferreira, with the support of cívicos, radicales, and egusquistas, invaded from Argentina.

After four months of fighting, Ezcurra signed the Pact of Pilcomayo aboard an Argentine gunboat on December 12, 1904, and handed power to the Liberals.