Paraguay

Paraguay is always the last to do everything. The had a dictator way longer than most other Latin American countries, and embraced democracy finally in 1989. But since then, the Colorado party has won every election. Hardly a democracy, really.

That all changed recently, and a former liberation theology adherent named Lugo will be the new president. Here's hoping he's the next Lula or Bachelet and not the next Chavez.

Economist Story

For a great read on Paraguay, try The News from Paraguay, and see a fictionalized account of how a 19th century dictator led them into a disastrous war that killed off 90% of the adult men. I'm not exaggerating.