Francisco Solano López

Francisco Solano López was a Paraguayan statesman, military officer and politician who served as President of Paraguay from 1862 until his death in 1870, most of that time during the Paraguayan War. Born in Asunción, he was the son of the earlier president Carlos Antonio López, was made a brigadier general at seventeen and later served as Paraguay's minister to several European countries from 1853 to 1855, where he bought arms and ships. He succeeded his father as president and led Paraguay against Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. At least half of Paraguay's people died in the war. He was killed in action at the Battle of Cerro Corá on 1 March 1870, and is regarded as a controversial figure and, officially, a national hero.