Antonio Maidana

Born Oct. 25, 1916, in Encarnacion. Leading figure in the Communist movement of Paraguay. By education a teacher.

From his early years Maidana was active in the political struggle. He headed the Center for Elementary-school Pupils, the Federation of Secondary-school Pupils, and the National Association of Paraguayan Schoolteachers. In 1936, Maidana joined the ranks of the Paraguayan Communist Party (PCP). In 1939 he was the leader of a democratic movement of students and teachers that was defending the interests of the toiling masses. In 1940 he became a member of the commission for political education of the Central Committee of the PCP, and since 1941 he has been a member of the Central Committee of the PCP. Maidana spent the years 1944-46 in prison and in exile. In April 1949 he became a member of the Political Commission of the Central Committee of the PCP. From 1953 to 1957 he was secretary of the Central Committee of the PCP on organizational questions and was responsible for political work. From 1957 to 1967, Maidana was second secretary of the Central Committee of the PCP. In August 1958 he was arrested and thrown into prison. In April 1971 he was elected chairman of the Central Committee of the PCP in absentia. Progressive circles of world public opinion have actively demonstrated for Maidana’s liberation.