List of Presidents of Paraguay: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Paraguay from 1989 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Paraguay, former leaders, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Paraguay: Santiago Peña (in office since 2023).

Presidents of Paraguay in order, with years in office

Andrés Rodríguez

Served: 1989–1993

General who overthrew Alfredo Stroessner in 1989 and then won election.

Juan Carlos Wasmosy

Served: 1993–1998

First civilian president in decades.

Raúl Cubas Grau

Served: 1998–1999

Resigned in March 1999 after the assassination of Vice President Luis María Argaña.

Luis González Macchi

Served: 1999–2003

Senate president who succeeded Cubas.

Nicanor Duarte Frutos

Served: 2003–2008

Colorado Party president.

Fernando Lugo

Served: 2008–2012

Former bishop who ended 61 years of Colorado Party rule; Congress impeached him in June 2012.

Federico Franco

Served: 2012–2013

Vice president who succeeded Lugo.

Horacio Cartes

Served: 2013–2018

Businessman who won the 2013 election.

Mario Abdo Benítez

Served: 2018–2023

Colorado Party president who served one term.

Santiago Peña

Served: 2023–present

Former finance minister who took office on 15 August 2023.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Paraguay

Who is the current president of Paraguay?

The current president of Paraguay is Santiago Peña, in office since 2023.

Who were the previous presidents of Paraguay?

The presidents and heads of state of Paraguay listed on this page, in order, are: Andrés Rodríguez, Juan Carlos Wasmosy, Raúl Cubas Grau, Luis González Macchi, Nicanor Duarte Frutos, Fernando Lugo, Federico Franco, Horacio Cartes, Mario Abdo Benítez, Santiago Peña.

Sources: Wikipedia, List of presidents of Paraguay; Associated Press and EFE reports, including coverage of Santiago Peña at the 28 July 2026 Peru inauguration (checked Nov 2026). Shows the presidents since the end of Alfredo Stroessner's rule in 1989.. Last reviewed November 2026.

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