Rafael de la Cruz Franco Ojeda (Asunción, February 22, 1896 - Asunción, September 16, 1973) was a paramilitary military and politician.
He was President of Paraguay in office from February 18, 1936 to August 15, 1937.
When he joined the Military School at fifteen, Franco reached the rank of colonel. He founded and commanded several fortresses in Chaco before and during the war with Bolivia, decorated with the Chaco Cross, then headed the Military School.
He founded the Partido de la Reforma (then the Partido Revolutionary Febrerista, of Reformist Orientation) who on 17 February 1936 led him to the presidency of the Republic overthrowing the liberal regime of Eusebio Ayala. He promulgated a new constitution but was deposed by a new military coup on August 15, 1937 and had to return to exile, leaving power to Félix Paiva.
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