Ramón Aquino
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Ramón Aquino | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | 10 June 1934 |
| Died | 1 April 2015 (aged 80) Asunción, Paraguay |
| Party | National Republican Association – Colorado Party |
| Occupation | Politician, torturer |
Ramón Aquino (June 10, 1934 - April 1, 2015) was a Paraguayan far-right politician from the Colorado Party, known as the leader of the Garroteros militia during the dictatorship of Alfredo Stroessner.
Ramón Aquino was born in 1934 in Asunción, in the neighborhood of Chacarita. This part of the Paraguayan capital is known to this day as a slum area, a hotbed of poverty and crime. Tourist guides categorize the area as "not recommended to visit at any time". Chacarita was even poorer and more crime-ridden in the 20th century. Not much is known about Aquino's early life, but according to some reports, he was involved in the criminal organizations operating in Chacarita during this time.[1] Upon joining the Colorado Party, he became the party's main spokesman for the neighborhood, and in turn, received a legal education through his membership.
In 1966, Ramón Aquino became head of the Colorado Section 14, a territorial party organization in Chacarita. He held this position for almost a quarter of a century and earned a reputation among supporters as "the great fighter of Colorado".[2] He was a member of Colorado's governing body, the Board of Governors, and was a personal friend of President Alfredo Stroessner. Approximately three-quarters of Chacarita's population was officially registered with the Colorado Party, and almost 100% of local voters voted in every election for President Stroessner and the Colorado candidates.
The party headquarters turned into the center of district life, where meetings were constantly held to make decisions on socio-economic, socio-political, cultural and everyday issues. Aquino himself became a district "cacique", the informal master of Chacarita. For employment, business licensing, admission to studies, use of municipal medical care, his personal approval was required. At the same time, under the leadership of Aquino, a social infrastructure appeared for the first time in the district - a free clinic, a cultural and rehabilitation center, and sports grounds. Because of this he was able to build up a reputation as a benefactor, and he enjoyed high popularity in Chacarita.[1]