Ayala, Eusebio (1874–1942)

Eusebio Ayala (b. 15 August 1874; d. 4 June 1942), intellectual, statesman, provisional president (1921–1923), and president of Paraguay (1932–1936). Ayala studied law and wrote essays on history, political economy, and international law. In 1900, he obtained his law degree at the National University in Asunción, subsequently teaching in various disciplines. As a diplomat, he displayed a profound knowledge of the major boundary dispute that existed with Bolivia. On 20 August 1920, Ayala was appointed to President Manuel Gondra's cabinet, but because of factional fighting, Gondra was forced to resign. Ayala replaced him in November 1921 as provisional president, only to resign in 1923 in the middle of a civil war. He was elected president in 1932, leading Paraguay through the Chaco War against neighboring Bolivia. After the defeat of the Bolivians, Ayala's government was toppled on 17 February 1936 by a military coup that had civilian support. In spite of his overthrow, Ayala has been regarded as one of the most capable national leaders of his generation.

See alsoChaco War .

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Paul H. Lewis, Paraguay Under Stroessner (1980).

Riordan Roett and Richard Scott Sacks, Paraguay: The Personalist Legacy (1991).

Additional Bibliography

Llano, Mariano. Eusebio Ayala: Ante su patria. Paraguay: AGR Servicios Gráficos, 2005.

Peña Villamil, Manuel. Eusebio Ayala y su tiempo. Paraguay: M. Peña Villamil, 1993.

                                        Miguel A. Gatti