Rafael Franco facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rafael Franco
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| 32nd President of Paraguay | |
| In office February 17, 1936 – August 13, 1937 |
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| Preceded by | Eusebio Ayala |
| Succeeded by | Félix Paiva |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 22, 1896 Asunción |
| Died | September 16, 1973 (aged 76) Asunción |
| Political party | National Revolutionary Party |
| Spouse | Deidamia Solalinde |
| Military service | |
| Rank | Army Colonel |
| Battles/wars | The Chaco War |
Rafael de la Cruz Franco Ojeda (born October 22, 1896 – died September 16, 1973) was a Paraguayan military officer and politician. He served as the Provisional President of Paraguay from February 17, 1936, to August 13, 1937. He was also a main leader and founder of the National Revolutionary Party.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Rafael Franco was born in Asunción, the capital city of Paraguay, on October 22, 1896. He grew up in the Santísima Trinidad neighborhood.
His father, Federico Franco, was a mathematics professor. His mother was Marcelina Ojeda. Rafael Franco married Deidamia Solalinde, and they had six children together. After finishing his basic schooling, he joined the Military College in 1915 to become an army officer.
Military Career
Franco began his military career as a second lieutenant in Encarnación. He quickly moved up the ranks. By May 1921, he was a first lieutenant. Later that year, he was put in charge of a machine gun group in Asunción.
He became a captain in 1924. He was given important jobs, like training new officers and soldiers. In 1926, he was put in charge of Infantry Regiment No. 2.
In 1928, while in the Paraguayan Chaco, Major Franco led an attack without orders. His troops captured and destroyed a Bolivian fort that was built inside Paraguayan land. Because of this action, he was removed from his command. Later, he was put in charge of the Military Aviation School.
During the Chaco War, Franco was promoted to colonel in 1933. He led a division of the Paraguayan army. He became known for using long-range patrols to find weak spots in enemy lines. On July 12, 1933, he launched a surprise attack that broke through Bolivian defenses. This forced the Bolivian 4th Division to retreat quickly.
After the war, Franco became the director of Paraguay's Military School. He was celebrated in the Victory Parade in Asunción. His troops affectionately called him "Leon Carê" (Lame Lion) because of a leg injury he got from falling off a horse at the Military College.
Political Career
Rafael Franco was a founder and important leader of the Revolutionary Febrerista Party. This party is a member of the Socialist International, a worldwide group of socialist political parties.
Presidency
Franco became critical of President Eusebio Ayala after the Chaco War. When President Ayala sent Franco into exile in Argentina, Franco's supporters in Paraguay overthrew Ayala's government. Colonel Franco then returned to Paraguay and became the interim president. He served from February 17, 1936, to August 13, 1937.
Social Changes and Economy
During his time as president, Franco's government made many changes to help workers. They set the workday at 8 hours and made Sunday a required day off. Workers also gained the right to holidays and a limited work week. Wages had to be paid in cash. The government also recognized workers' rights to form unions and go on strike. Women workers gained new rights too.
In 1936, Franco's government carried out Paraguay's first agrarian reform. They gave over 200,000 hectares of land to 10,000 farming families. They also froze the prices of rents and leases for one year.
The government also became more involved in the economy. They created the Central Bank of the Republic of Paraguay. This bank took over the stock exchange and became the only way for foreign trade to happen. Franco also suggested that the government should be involved in any oil exploration. His government set a basic price for important goods like cotton.
Franco's government also welcomed the first Japanese settlers to Paraguay. They helped Paraguayan prisoners of war return home from Bolivia.
Military Improvements
President Franco worked to make Paraguay's armed forces stronger and more modern. He wanted to sell old weapons and buy new ones.
His government planned to buy 60 Italian military aircraft. This was to prepare for any threats from neighboring countries, like Bolivia, and because of serious events happening in Europe. However, the government that came after Franco's canceled most of these orders. So, only a few planes actually arrived.
The government also gave pensions to war veterans and those injured in the war. They gave awards and paid the regular army soldiers. Franco was firm about not giving up any land that the Paraguayan army had won in the Chaco War.
National Symbols and Heroes
Franco's government made changes to how Paraguay honored its past. They stopped building the Oratory of Our Lady of the Assumption and turned it into the National Pantheon of Heroes.
His government honored the 19th-century leader Francisco Solano López. They canceled old decrees that called him an outlaw and instead declared him a great National Hero. López's remains were brought from his unmarked grave and reburied in the new Pantheon. The government also declared Adolfo Rojas Silva a National Hero. He was the first officer to die in the Chaco War.
March 1, known as Heroes' Day, was made a public holiday.
Government Changes
The Franco government canceled the 1870 Constitution and parliament. They called for a new assembly to write a new constitution.
They created two new government departments: one for Public Health and one for Agriculture. They also started several new groups, including the National Association of the Indigenous, the National Labour Department, and the National Women's Union.
The government also printed new banknotes and improved the country's infrastructure. This included building the first civilian airport and founding several hospitals.
Overthrow and Exile
On August 13, 1937, some army members who disagreed with Franco's decisions staged a coup. This led to Franco being removed from power. Félix Paiva then became president. Franco went to Uruguay. He lived outside Paraguay for more than 20 years. He briefly returned in 1946 but had to leave again.
Later Life
When Rafael Franco finally returned to Paraguay, he took on various jobs to support himself, including being a real-estate broker. He continued to quietly oppose the government of Alfredo Stroessner through the Revolutionary Febrerista Party, which became legal in 1964.
His health declined in his later years. He passed away on September 16, 1973, at the American Hospital. Even an old rival, Colonel Arturo Bray, sent a large flower wreath with the message: "To a great patriot."
See also
In Spanish: Rafael Franco para niños
