Background
Federico Chaves was born on15 February 1882 in Paraguay.
judge lawyer politician president
Federico Chaves was born on15 February 1882 in Paraguay.
He had been a long-time Colorado politician, leader of the “democratic” wing of the party, and rival of Juan Natalicio González for its control. He had a distinguished career as lawyer and judge. Cháves formed an alliance with Felipe Molas López after the 1948 coup which brought Molas López to power. In reality, Cháves and his faction of the Colorados held power even though Molas López was titular president. Cháves was president of Congress, president of the Colorado Party, controlled the Ministry of Defense and the police, and had military support. He purged the followers of the deposed violence-prone Juan Natalicio González.
Federico Cháves assumed power in 1949, running as sole candidate in the July 1950 elections, while Liberal Party leaders were under house arrest.
He was reelected in 1952. Although he was leader of the “democratic” faction of the Colorados, in the presidency he showed little support for the democratic process.
Finally, in May 1954 Cháves attempted a showdown against those, including General Alfredo Stroessner, whom he felt were planning a coup. The police remained loyal, but in extremely fierce fighting the army defeated them, and on May 5, 1954, President Cháves was overthrown.