Domingo Isabelino Laíno Figueredo (born 8 July 1935) is a Paraguayan politician, economist, and activist. The first leader of the
Authentic Radical Liberal Party, a
Senator
A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or Legislative chamber, chamber of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the Ancient Rome, ancient Roman Senate (Latin: ''Senatus''), so-called as an assembly of the senior ...
, and a former
Member of the Chamber of Deputies, Laino first became known for his opposition to the
Stroessner
Alfredo Stroessner Matiauda (; 3 November 1912 – 16 August 2006) was a Paraguayan politician, army general and military dictator who ruled as the 42nd president of Paraguay from 15 August 1954 until his overthrow in 1989. Known there as '' ...
dictatorship: in 1956, he was arrested for having publicly opposed the arrest of university students. In the years that followed, he was arrested so many times that he "lost count".
In September 1979, Laíno was confined to the town of
Mbuyapey, 182 km from Asuncion. In December 1982, he was arrested, allegedly for painting anti-government slogans on walls; he was subsequently deported to
Argentina
Argentina, officially the Argentine Republic, is a country in the southern half of South America. It covers an area of , making it the List of South American countries by area, second-largest country in South America after Brazil, the fourt ...
. He attempted to return in March 1983, in March 1985, twice in December 1985, and in June 1986; each time, he was blocked.
In April 1987, Laíno was finally allowed to return to Paraguay; however, he continued his opposition to the Stroessner regime, leading to his being arrested again in September 1987 and February 1988.
In February 1989, Stroessner was overthrown by
Andrés Rodríguez, who implemented widespread reforms; these reforms included a presidential election in May 1989. Laíno ran for President, but lost to Rodríguez. Laíno ran for president in the two subsequent elections as well, but came second each time (losing to
Juan Carlos Wasmosy in 1993, and to
Raúl Cubas Grau in 1998).
Awards
In 1991,
Liberal International
Liberal International (LI) is a worldwide organization of liberalism, liberal political parties. The political international was founded in Oxford in 1947 and has become the pre-eminent network for liberal and progressive democratic parties aim ...
named Laíno co-winner of that year's
Prize For Freedom.
Profile of Domingo Laino
at Liberal International
Liberal International (LI) is a worldwide organization of liberalism, liberal political parties. The political international was founded in Oxford in 1947 and has become the pre-eminent network for liberal and progressive democratic parties aim ...
References
External links
Official page
at the Senate of Paraguay
{{DEFAULTSORT:Laino, Domingo
1935 births
Members of the Chamber of Deputies of Paraguay
Members of the Senate of Paraguay
Living people
Paraguayan economists
Authentic Radical Liberal Party politicians