Paraguayan People's Army (EPP): A History of Insurgency and Conflict
The Paraguayan People's Army (Ejército thể Pueblo Paraguayo, or EPP) is an armed insurgent group that has operated primarily in the northern departments of Paraguay since 2008. Emerging from a background of political organization and rural grievances, the group has utilized kidnapping, bombings, and targeted attacks against security forces and landowners to pursue its revolutionary agenda.
The group's roots trace back to the Partido Patria Libre, a political entity that participated in the 2003 national elections with Tomas Zayas as its presidential candidate. Key figures such as Carmen Villalba and Alcides Oviedo Brítez transitioned from this political framework to the formation of the EPP on March 1, 2008.
Key Facts
- Founded: March 1, 2008.
- Primary Areas of Operation: Concepción, San Pedro, and Alto Paraguay.
- Tactics: Kidnapping for ransom, arson of agricultural machinery, and ambushes of security forces.
- Key Splinter Groups: Armed Peasant Association (ACA) and Army of Mariscal López (EML).
- Major Security Response: The creation of the Joint Task Force (FTC).
Early Operations and First Attacks (2008-2009)
The EPP began its campaign of violence shortly after its official founding. On March 16, 2008, the group burned agricultural machinery at the Santa Herminia ranch in Concepción. This ranch, owned by Brazilian businessman Nabort Boht, produced soybeans across 20,000 hectares. The attack followed years of complaints from local peasants regarding health issues caused by agrochemical fumigation—complaints that had been acknowledged by the Prosecutor's Office and the Justice system, though court dismissals in Horqueta had stalled legal action against Boht.
By the end of 2008, the group escalated its targets. On December 31, the EPP attacked a military barracks in Tacuatí, San Pedro, stealing weapons and torching the facility. This prompted the largest joint military operation in Paraguay since the Chaco War, though the fugitives remained at large.
In 2009, the group expanded its reach to the capital. On April 29, a bomb was placed inside the Palace of Justice in Asunción. The device was discovered by a janitor and moved outside by a security guard before it exploded. Carmen Villalba, speaking from detention, claimed responsibility for the attack.
High-Profile Kidnappings and Ransoms
Kidnapping has been a central strategy for the EPP to secure funding and political leverage. The group has targeted ranchers, businessmen, and foreign nationals, often demanding massive sums of money and the distribution of food to poor communities as a condition for release.
The Case of Luis Lindstron
Luis Alberto Lindstron, a former mayor of Tacuatí, was kidnapped on July 31, 2008. He was released 43 days later after a payment of $130,000. However, the EPP later murdered Lindstron on May 30, 2013, claiming he had failed to comply with "revolutionary laws."
The Abduction of Fidel Zavala
Fidel Zavala Serrati was kidnapped on October 15, 2009. During his 94 days of captivity, the EPP forced the Zavala family to donate livestock meat to underprivileged families. Zavala was released on January 17, 2010, following a ransom payment of approximately $550,000.
The Longest Captivity: Edelio Morinigo
One of the most notorious incidents occurred on April 2, 2014, in Paso Tuya. During a firefight between the Joint Task Force (FTC)—a combined military and police unit—and the EPP, businessman Isaac Arce was killed and 16-year-old Arlan Fick was kidnapped. Shortly after, NCO Edelio Morinigo was also taken hostage while searching for the group.
While Arlan Fick was released on December 25, 2014, after a $500,000 payment, Edelio Morinigo remained in captivity for 1,377 days. His death was confirmed via a pamphlet found in an EPP camp on April 11, 2018, marking the longest kidnapping in Paraguayan history.
Internal Divisions and Splinter Groups
The EPP has not remained a monolithic organization. Internal disputes over discipline and leadership have led to the emergence of separate factions.
- Armed Peasant Association (ACA): Formed in 2014 after a rift between leader Osvaldo Villalba and the Jara Larrea brothers. The ACA was active in Arroyito, Concepción, until the FTC confirmed its extinction in 2018 following the death of its leaders.
- Army of Mariscal López (EML): A detachment that emerged around April 2, 2016. This group is believed to have kidnapped Félix Urbieta in October 2016.
Targeting the Mennonite Community
Between 2015 and 2018, the EPP targeted Northern Mennonite settlers, leading to several high-stakes abductions.
| Victim | Date of Abduction | Outcome | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abraham Fehr | August 8, 2015 | Deceased | Remains found in 2018; ransom payment was "out of time." |
| Franz Wiebe | July 27, 2016 | Released | EPP claimed he was kidnapped by mistake. |
| Gerardo Wall Rempel | March 17, 2017 | Released | Attributed to "aspiring" criminal groups rather than authentic EPP. |
| Franz Hiebert | August 21, 2017 | Released | Held for 168 days; ransom paid. |
| Bernhard Blatz | September 1, 2017 | Released | Released Feb 5, 2018; total ransom for Hiebert and Blatz was $1.25M. |
Recent Incidents and State Response
Under the government of Mario Abdo Benítez, the conflict continued with sporadic attacks. In September 2020, an FTC operation in Yby Yaú resulted in the deaths of two Argentine girls. The Paraguayan government stated the girls were used as human shields by the EPP, while the UN and Argentina demanded a full investigation.
Shortly after this operation, on September 9, 2020, former Vice President Óscar Denis was kidnapped near his ranch in Yby Yaú. Authorities believe the abduction, attributed to the EPP's "Indigenous Brigade," was a retaliatory act for the deaths of the two girls.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the EPP?
The EPP (Ejército thể Pueblo Paraguayo) is an armed insurgent group founded in 2008 that operates primarily in northern Paraguay, targeting landowners and security forces.
Who is the current leader of the EPP?
Alcides Oviedo Brítez is identified as the current leader of the organization.
What is the Joint Task Force (FTC)?
The FTC is a combined military and police force established by the Paraguayan government specifically to combat the EPP and its splinter groups.
How does the EPP fund its operations?
The group primarily funds its activities through high-value kidnappings for ransom, often demanding hundreds of thousands of US dollars.
What are the ACA and EML?
The Armed Peasant Association (ACA) and the Army of Mariscal López (EML) are splinter groups that broke away from the EPP due to internal leadership disputes and disciplinary issues.