Rodriguez Sworn In as Paraguay’s First Elected President
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ASUNCION, Paraguay — Vowing to defend democracy, the first democratically elected president in Paraguay’s history was sworn in Monday.
In his inauguration speech, Gen. Andres Rodriguez promised “to defend . . . our freedom in a republican system of authentic and creative democracy.”
Rodriguez, 65, who overthrew dictator Alfredo Stroessner in a coup in February, received 74% of the vote in elections May 1. Eight parties fielded candidates.
The inauguration of Rodriguez, in an open-air ceremony in front of the Congress building, was attended by Presidents Jose Sarney of Brazil, Raul Alfonsin of Argentina and Julio Sanguinetti of Uruguay.
Under three decades of rule by Stroessner, now in exile in Brazil, Paraguay lived in virtual political isolation. Rodriguez’s term is four years.
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