One of Paraguay's presidential candidates, Lino Oviedo, died in a crash on Saturday. The polarizing candidate was killed when his helicopter crashed as he was returning from a rally. The New York Times reported the details on Feb. 3.
Lino Oviedo dies leaving an interesting story in his wake. He was not a major contender for the next presidential election in Paraguay, slated for April 21. Polls indicated he was performing in the single digits compared to stronger candidates, but he continued his campaigning. The helicopter accident happened in northern Paraguay, and the pilot and Oviedo's bodyguard died in the crash as well. The crash is being called an accident, though an investigation is underway.
This controversial presidential candidate has a military past, but the BBC notes he also was sentenced to prison for his part in a plot to overthrow President Wasmosy back in 1988. He was released, but he was then accused of killing Vice President Luis Maria Argana, and that sent Oviedo into exile. Lino returned to Paraguay in 2004 and then was convicted of insubordination. That conviction was overturned in 2007, and he then ran in the 2008 presidential election.
Federico Franco, the president of Paraguay, has declared three days of mourning in the wake of the news that Lino Oviedo died in the crash Saturday. There is said to have been a storm in the path of the flight, and residents in the area apparently heard a loud explosion. The aircraft is being described as “disintegrated.”
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