Epifanio Méndez Fleitas

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Epifanio Méndez Fleitas (April 7, 1917 – November 22, 1985) was a Paraguayan politician, writer, musician and banker. He served twice as president of the Central Bank of Paraguay (1952–1954 and 1955–1956) and was also chief of police of Asunción (1949–1952). He was the uncle of future Paraguayan president Fernando Lugo.

Early life and career
He was born in San Pedro del Paraná, Itapúa. He started studying in his hometown and moved to Villarrica, where he began writing. He studied law but left his studies to join politics with the Colorado Party. He became chief of police of Asunción and later led the Central Bank.

Politics and the Stroessner era
In May 1954, Méndez supported Alfredo Stroessner’s coup against President Federico Chaves, who had fired him from the Central Bank. He returned to the bank’s leadership and also ran the government-supported newspaper La Unión. He continued writing and composing music, and he helped promote Paraguayan culture abroad.

Exile and opposition
Méndez’s closeness to Perón weakened his position when Stroessner solidified power. He was named ambassador to Spain in early 1956, but Paraguay did not allow him to return. He went into exile, first in Uruguay and then in Argentina. In 1960 he joined MOPOCO, a Colorado Party faction opposing Stroessner. He later helped form another dissident group, ANRER, in 1973.

Later years and death
In 1978 he was expelled from Uruguay and moved to the United States, returning to Argentina in 1984. He died in Buenos Aires in 1985.

Literary and musical work
Méndez Fleitas was a prolific writer and composer in Spanish and Guaraní. His early poetry includes Sueños de adolescente (1936) and Bajo la verde arboleda (1939). He published many works on politics, history and society and helped found Paraguayan writers’ associations. In music, he formed a band called San Solano in 1953 and helped inspire the group Los Paraguayos.

Family
He married Fresdesvinda Vall and had six children: Teresa, Bernardino, Prudencio, Epifanio, María de la Cruz and José.