Paraguay, that much-maligned Latin American country, has had a terrible history (see
this article for a fascinating background).
In the 1860s, the country lost over 80% of its male population in
The War of the Triple Alliance. A series of dictatorships in the first half of the twentieth century led to a Paraguayan narrative (persisting to this day) as an oppressed people who should return to former greatness.
This was fertile ground for fascism to take root. In the 1930s, many Paraguayan officials openly emulated Nazism. The best chance is probably during the
Chaco War against Bolivia from 1932-25. General
Jose Estigarriba had totalitarian tendencies and certainly was capable of launching a military coup.
So if Paraguay became fascist in the early '30s, what would the consequences be? Would Fascist policies be able to re-energize the country? How would Brazil and Argentina feel about a resurgent, militaristic Paraguay? Could fascism spread in Latin America? And what would be the consequences in Europe for Hitler and Germany? Would he try to recruit them as an ally?
Cheers,
Ganesha