Higinio Morínigo
Encyclopedia
General Higinio Morínigo Martínez (January 11, 1897 – January 27, 1983) was a Paraguay
an dictator
, general
and political figure. He served as the President of Paraguay
from 7 September 1940 to 3 June 1948.
Morínigo was born in Paraguarí
, Paraguay in 1897, the son of a merchant. Little is known of his early life, though he served in the Army in the Chaco War
and served as Chief of Staff for President Rafael Franco (1936–39). Of European and Guarani descent, He was fluent in both the Spanish and Guarani languages. Franco's successor, José Félix Estigarribia
of the Liberal Party, appointed Morínigo as his Minister of War on May 2, 1940. Four months later, President Estigarribia was killed in an airplane crash on September 7, 1940, and the cabinet selected General Morínigo to serve as President for two months until elections could be held.
On September 30, the Liberal Party ministers in his cabinet resigned, and on October 16, Morínigo announced that the presidential elections would be postponed for two years. Soon afterward, he announced a policy of "disciplina, jerarquia, y orden" (discipline, hierarchy, and order) and stated that persons who spread subversive ideas would be "subject to confinement". On November 30, he announced in a noontime radio address that "The people and the Army, from this moment, will be under a single command." All political parties were banned. Morínigo organized the Guion Rojo (the "Red Banner") as a state police force to control dissent from the Febreristas and the Liberals, and exiled opposition newspaper publishers. The elections took place as promised on February 15, 1943. However, Morínigo was the sole candidate on the ballot.
Morínigo's absolute rule lasted until June 9, 1946, when he formed a cabinet with the Revolutionary Febrerista Party
and the Colorado Party
. During his dictatorship, Morínigo faced widespread resistance, including general strike
s, but he survived by maintaining the loyalty of the Paraguayan Army
, which received 45% of the country's budget.
Feeling that Morínigo was favouring the Colorados, the Febreristas resigned and made common cause with the Liberal Party
and the Communist Party of Paraguay in the Paraguayan Civil War
of 1947. Although large sections of the military defected to the rebels, Morínigo regained control of the country by the end of the year, with the assistance of grass-root militias organized by the Colorados. For the next 15 years, the Colorados were the only legal party in Paraguay.
Morínigo permitted a presidential election in 1948, and on February 15 of that year, Colorado Party candidate Juan Natalicio González
was elected as the only candidate on the ballot. Morínigo's term was to expire on August 15, but revolution was threatened by groups dissatisfied with González. The Paraguayan Army deposed Morínigo on June 3, about two months ahead of schedule. Supreme Court Chief Justice Juan Manuel Frutos
was sworn in as interim president, serving until González was inaugurated on August 15, 1948.
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
an dictator
Dictator
A dictator is a ruler who assumes sole and absolute power but without hereditary ascension such as an absolute monarch. When other states call the head of state of a particular state a dictator, that state is called a dictatorship...
, general
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
and political figure. He served as the President of Paraguay
President of Paraguay
The President of Paraguay is according to the Paraguayan Constitution the Chief of the Executive branch of the Government of Paraguay...
from 7 September 1940 to 3 June 1948.
Morínigo was born in Paraguarí
Paraguarí
Paraguarí is a city, distrito and capital of Paraguarí Department in Paraguay, located 66 km from the country’s capital, Asunción. At the 2002 census it had a population of 22,154.- Toponymy :...
, Paraguay in 1897, the son of a merchant. Little is known of his early life, though he served in the Army in the Chaco War
Chaco War
The Chaco War was fought between Bolivia and Paraguay over control of the northern part of the Gran Chaco region of South America, which was incorrectly thought to be rich in oil. It is also referred to as La Guerra de la Sed in literary circles for being fought in the semi-arid Chaco...
and served as Chief of Staff for President Rafael Franco (1936–39). Of European and Guarani descent, He was fluent in both the Spanish and Guarani languages. Franco's successor, José Félix Estigarribia
José Félix Estigarribia
Marshal José Félix Estigarribia Insaurralde was a decorated Paraguayan war hero and President of Paraguay for the Liberal party. Educated as an agronomist, he joined the national Army in 1910 and spent time in Chile and in Saint Cyr's military academy in France for additional training...
of the Liberal Party, appointed Morínigo as his Minister of War on May 2, 1940. Four months later, President Estigarribia was killed in an airplane crash on September 7, 1940, and the cabinet selected General Morínigo to serve as President for two months until elections could be held.
On September 30, the Liberal Party ministers in his cabinet resigned, and on October 16, Morínigo announced that the presidential elections would be postponed for two years. Soon afterward, he announced a policy of "disciplina, jerarquia, y orden" (discipline, hierarchy, and order) and stated that persons who spread subversive ideas would be "subject to confinement". On November 30, he announced in a noontime radio address that "The people and the Army, from this moment, will be under a single command." All political parties were banned. Morínigo organized the Guion Rojo (the "Red Banner") as a state police force to control dissent from the Febreristas and the Liberals, and exiled opposition newspaper publishers. The elections took place as promised on February 15, 1943. However, Morínigo was the sole candidate on the ballot.
Morínigo's absolute rule lasted until June 9, 1946, when he formed a cabinet with the Revolutionary Febrerista Party
Revolutionary Febrerista Party
The Revolutionary Febrerista Party is a democratic socialist party of Paraguay.-History:The party was established on 11 December 1951 in Buenos Aires, Argentina and was initially banned in Paraguay, which was under a Colorado Party regime at the time. The party was legalised in 1964 as it was no...
and the Colorado Party
Colorado Party (Paraguay)
The National Republican Association – Colorado Party is a political party in Paraguay, founded in 1887 by Bernardino Caballero. It is usually known as the Colorado Party...
. During his dictatorship, Morínigo faced widespread resistance, including general strike
General strike
A general strike is a strike action by a critical mass of the labour force in a city, region, or country. While a general strike can be for political goals, economic goals, or both, it tends to gain its momentum from the ideological or class sympathies of the participants...
s, but he survived by maintaining the loyalty of the Paraguayan Army
Military of Paraguay
The armed forces of Paraguay consist of the Paraguayan army, navy and air force.The constitution of Paraguay establishes the president of Paraguay as the commander-in-chief....
, which received 45% of the country's budget.
Feeling that Morínigo was favouring the Colorados, the Febreristas resigned and made common cause with the Liberal Party
Liberal Party (Paraguay)
The Liberal Party , commonly known as the Blue Party was a political party in Paraguay, ruling the country for most of the period between 1904 and 1940.-References:...
and the Communist Party of Paraguay in the Paraguayan Civil War
Paraguayan Civil War
The Paraguayan Civil War was a conflict in Paraguay that lasted from March to August 1947.In 1940, President Higinio Morínigo suspended the constitution and banned political parties. Resistance to his rule took the form of general strikes and student riots...
of 1947. Although large sections of the military defected to the rebels, Morínigo regained control of the country by the end of the year, with the assistance of grass-root militias organized by the Colorados. For the next 15 years, the Colorados were the only legal party in Paraguay.
Morínigo permitted a presidential election in 1948, and on February 15 of that year, Colorado Party candidate Juan Natalicio González
Juan Natalicio González
Juan Natalicio González Paredes was a Paraguayan poet who served as President of Paraguay from 15 August 1948 to 30 December 1948.- Early life :...
was elected as the only candidate on the ballot. Morínigo's term was to expire on August 15, but revolution was threatened by groups dissatisfied with González. The Paraguayan Army deposed Morínigo on June 3, about two months ahead of schedule. Supreme Court Chief Justice Juan Manuel Frutos
Juan Manuel Frutos
Juan Manuel Frutos was President of Paraguay in 1948. He was born in Asunción on June 12, 1879. His parents were José Dolores Frutos and Juliana Escurra, sister of the Colonel Juan Antonio Escurra .-His life:...
was sworn in as interim president, serving until González was inaugurated on August 15, 1948.