In Paraguay, Alfredo Stroessner’s authoritarian rule came to a sudden halt due to a military coup led by General Andrés Rodríguez. Stroessner, who had been in power since 1954, maintained control through a combination of repression, censorship, and strategic alliances with the military. By the late 1980s, dissatisfaction with his regime had brewed significantly due to rampant corruption, human rights violations, and increasing isolation from international communities. The economy was struggling, and both social unrest and internal military dissent were mounting as a response to ongoing oppression.The coup began in the early hours with a coordinated effort by military officials who were increasingly uneasy with Stroessner’s handling of the nation and his unwillingness to implement democratic reforms. Rodríguez swiftly occupied important military and governmental installations in Asunción, the capital, and declared himself president, promising a return to democracy. The suddenness of the coup and its execution was a shock, revealing the fragile state of Stroessner’s power. In the aftermath, Rodríguez sought to distance his regime from Stroessner’s legacy while navigating a complex political landscape. Domestically, he called for a return to democratic processes, thus initiating reforms that would eventually lead to elections. Internationally, this coup was viewed as a significant shift in Latin American politics, where the Cold War era had influenced many dictatorships. The transition not only ended decades of fear under Stroessner but also inspired pro-democracy movements in other authoritarian regimes across the region, signaling a broader trend toward democracy throughout Latin America.