Rafael Franco

Infobox_President
name=Rafael Franco Ojeda


nationality=Paraguayan
order= 36th President of Paraguay
term_start= February 17 1936
term_end= August 13 1937
predecessor= Eusebio Ayala
successor= Félix Paiva
birth_date= birth date|1896|10|22|mf=y
birth_place= Asunción
death_date = death date and age|1973|09|16|1896|10|22|mf=y
death_place = Asunción
spouse=
party= Febrerista Revolutionary
vicepresident=

Rafael Franco Ojeda (1896-1973) was President of Paraguay from February 17 1936 to August 13 1937. He was a member of the Febrerista Revolutionary Party.

He unsuccessfully tried to unseat General Alfredo Stroessner in November 1956.Rafael Franco was the first Democrat and Socialist President of Paraguay, he ruled from February 17th. 1936 to August 13th. 1937.

His Life

Born in Asunción on October 22, 1896 in the house located at the intersection of streets Chile and Haedo (central area of the city).

He was the son of Mr. Federico Franco and Mrs. Marcelina Ojeda. His father was a professor of mathematics at the School of Agronomy, founded by Moisés Santiago Bertoni (worked in the Botanical Garden and in 1940 she was transferred to San Lorenzo).

He was married to Deidamea Solalinde. After conducting their basic studies, entered the Military College in 1915. His first assignment, with the rank of second lieutenant, went to Encarnación city Department of Itapua under the command of Colonel Pedro Mendoza. On May 9, 1921, Franco was promoted to first lieutenant Infantry and, on 13 August the same year he was appointed commander of the Group of machine guns, with a seat in Asunción.

Trajectory

He was commander of the Infantry Regiment Nro.5 General Eduvigis Diaz, sitting in Bahia Negra. On August 13, 1924 was promoted to captain, February 10, 1926 was appointed commander of the company cadets of the Military College. It was considered one of the best officers that time and we were assigned important tasks, such as training new cadres of officers or troops. In November 1926 he was appointed commander of the Infantry Regiment Nr. 2, with a seat in Villa Hayes.

Thus the career of Franco stood fast, reaching the Paraguayan Chaco, which would be the scene of its greatest victories. For his participation in this wonderful site, in August 1928, Franco was appointed commander of the Military Aviation School, then was promoted to higher and slightly later, took the leadership of Infantry Regiment Nr. 5 General Diaz, with a seat in Bahia Negra. He suffered from his leg since an accident in last years at the Military College, when it fell from a horse in the basement of the Cabildo. His troops called him the affectionate nickname "Leon Carê."

The colonel's life was very difficult, after being ousted from power. He had to suffer in the meat itself cruelty of exile, and often crossed by great economic difficulties. But despite all this, Franco was known for his military talent and his admirable honesty.

Rafael Franco spent more than 20 years outside the country. When he returned to Paraguay, was devoted to perform various jobs to survive, inter alia, soaps manufactured after that sold to various businesses, was also real estate broker.

His health had been deteriorating in the late 70, and returned, then finally to their land. In the last years of his life lived in a small room, which originally served as a garage, located in the streets on May 14 and Herrera. From there I walked to a cafe that was located on the Avenue on May 25th. There he met with old friends and comrades with whom we talked cheerfully of politics and on military and social issues.

In September 1973, enters the Americano Hospital because of his serious condition, over there and did not come out alive. In the latest and saddest days of his life, was visited by Colonel Arturo Bray, with whom he maintained a enmity over 30 years. Colonel Rafael Franco died on September 16, 1973 and one of the largest flower wreaths were sent the same Arturo Bray. The crown wearing a ribbon with a short inscription, but those words were those given to describe such illustrious person, hero of the Chaco War, known for his humility and simplicity. The inscription read: "To a great patriot."

The life of the colonel was very difficult, after being demolished of the power. It had to suffer in own(proper) meat the cruelty of the exile, and often it crossed for big economic difficulties. But regardless this, Franco was known by his military talent and you admirable honesty.

Rafael Franco passed more than 20 years out of the country. When it returned to the Paraguay, it devoted itself to realize diverse works to survive, among other things, it was making soaps that later it( was selling to different business, also it was a real-estate corridor.

Presidency

He was interim president of the Republic since February 17, 1936 until August 13, 1937. Exiled by political issues, its members carried out the movement that the tomb Liberal government of Eusebio Ayala and Franco in power.

Achievements of his Government

* Claim the Ideals of the Revolution Communards and the Independence Revolution
* Proclamation to Mcal. Francisco Solano Lopez National Hero without exemplary
* Fixed the working day of 8 hours per day
* Sets Aguinaldo
* On Sunday rest makes it mandatory
* It establishes that the wage labor include holiday
* Declares National Hero to Tte. 2nd. Adolfo Rojas Silva, first oficial fallen into the Chaco War
* Provides access to the first Japanese settlers
* To carry out the first Agrarian Reform
* Declare part of the national heritage ruins and colonial art, the reservoir and archaeological objects.
* Establish rights hitherto unrecognized to the workers, their families and s Self Unionization
* It repeals the 1870 Constitution and parliament
* Call a National Constituent Assembly to draft a new and updated Magna Carta.
* Repealing duties on primary and secondary studies
* Make a restructuring and modernizing the FF.AA
* Selling weapons obsolete and worn
* We sought the acquisition of 60 Italian military aircraft, aware of several causes: the poor and poorly equipped army Pyo., A likely new Bolivian adventure, dangerous pretensions of neighbouring countries to Paraguay, which they considered too weak militarily speaking and the serious events that iban appearing in Europe. The order of these aircraft was later rejected by the liberal government that followed the Cnel. Franco, only very few units arrived, the original contract included: -- 20 FIAT C.R.32 c (were purchased only 5)

-- 04 FIAT C.R.30B (It bought 2)

-- 04 Breda Ba.25 (We bought 3)

-- 03-Bred Ba.25Idro for the Naval Aviation-(was bought only 1)

-- 21 Caproni AP-1 (were purchased 7) -- 05 Caproni AP-1Idro-for-Naval Aviation (There were purchased)

-- 03 Caproni Ghibli (It bought 2)

* Delivery decorations and amounts to oficales army
* Wanted aquisición of the 60 Italian military aircraft, aware of several causes such as: what's wrong and poor equipment ejecito Pyo. A Bolivian provable new adventure, of the dangerous pretenciones of countries bordering Paraguay, which they considered very weak militarily speaking, we must also consider the serious events that iban appearing in Europe. This repertoire
* End the construction of the Oratory of Our Lady of the Assumption and established as the National Pantheon of Heroes.
* Rescue remnants of Mcal. Lopez and places them in that Pantheon
* Establishes the National Holiday every March 1
* Pension to the war wounded
* Entrego land to poor peasants
* Labour rights for women in special tape
* Payment of wages in cash (the pay was banned in "vouchers" or "silver white")
* Repatriation of hundreds of their compatriots
* Reorganization of the State Merchant Fleet
* Provides for a base price for cotton production
* Frozen for one year's time the prices of rents and leases
* Abolish entrance exams for National Schools
* Pension to Veterans
* Ferrea maintained a stance of not cede any territory conquiestado by the Paraguayan army in the Chaco War.
* Proposes the country's participation in any oil excavation.

" 'Creations:"'

* Ministry of Public Health
* Ministry of Agriculture
* National Association of Indigenous
* National Labour Department
* National Central of Workers (CNT)
* National Union Feminist
* Development Commission and Labour
* Mobilization Committee Civilian
* Bank of the Republic of Paraguay
* Philatelic Section within the Directorate General of Post and Telegraph
* School of Dentistry
* Faculty of Economics
* Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
* New series of banknotes of 5, 10, 50, 100500 and 1000 heavy weights
* Foundations Colony and Ports
* Several hospitals in the country's Interior
* National Association of Ex-combatants (UPV current Chaco) where appoint Franco as his 1st. Pdte.
* Adult Education
* First Civilian Airport
* Hundreds of Schools and Colleges
* The School of Arts and Trades
* Farms-Rural school
* National Revolutionary Union

Government Cabinet

*" 'Foreign Ministry:"' Dr. John Stefanich (Chancellor)
*" 'Ministry of the Interior:"' Dr. Freire Gomez Esteves
*" 'Ministry of War and Navy:"' Cnel. Arístides Rivas Ortelle
*" 'Ministry of Finance:"' Dr. Luis Freire Esteves, Alfredo J. Jacquet, Emilio Gardel
*" 'Ministry of Justice, Worship and Public Instruction:"' Anselmo Jover Peralta, Emilio Gardel, Crescencio Lezcano, Dr. Damian Bruyn
*" 'Ministry of Agriculture:"' Dr. Bernardino Caballero (grandson of Gral. Bernardino Caballero), William Tell Bertoni
*" 'Ministry of Public Health:"' Dr. Pedro Duarte Ortelle
*" 'Mayor of the City of Asuncion:"' Dr. Felipe Molas López (February 02 to October 1936), Dr. Damian Bruyn (October 1936 to June 1937)

Political Biography

He was a founder and historic leader of Febrerista Revolutionary Party, a full member of the Socialist International. He made a brilliant military career, although he won some political issues to be separated from the race, but at the beginning of hostilities with Bolivia was reinstated to the army. He made a brilliant career as a warrior, came to occupy the commander of the Second Corps and conquer Laura important for the Army in defining campaign in part of the Chaco war as Picuiba, Yrendagué and took Carandayty, Charagua and Ingavi.

* Led the Military School and his name became emblematic figure in postwar politics. In the Chaco War, commanded a division of III Corps, which took an important action in the Battle Field Way. At the end of the war, Franco participated in the Victory Parade as commander of the II Corps, where the crowd asuncena received him in the streets with a pleasant greeting.

References

* [http://www.biografiasyvidas.com/biografia/f/franco_rafael.htm Biografías y Vidas]
* EVP - Wikipedia
* [http://www.evp.edu.py/index.php?title=Portada Enciclopedia Virtual Paraguaya - Portal]

External links

* [http://www.lainternacionalsocialista.org/ Socialist International]
* [http://www.calc-is.org/ CALC-IS]