[Eric in the Ozarks]

Why does Paraguay need an army in the first place ?

[SnuffaBolshevik]

"Why does Paraguay need an army in the first place?"

To frighten Uruguay?

[archy]

Why does Paraguay need an army in the first place ?

History lesson:

In 1864 Paraguay fought against Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, and was overwhelmingly defeated in 1870 after five years of the bloodiest war in South America. William D. Rubinstein wrote: "The normal estimate is that of a Paraguayan population of somewhere between 450,000 and 900,000, only 220,000 survived the war, of whom only 28,000 were adult males." Paraguay also suffered extensive territorial losses to Brazil and Argentina.

Next question?

[Leaning Right]

Why does Paraguay need an army in the first place?

These days, to stage military coups and then to defend against counter-coups.

[thackney]

Fear of being over run by yankee banditos chased out of Boliva?

[bajabaja]

Landlocked Paraguay also has a navy. The bought a war ship of some description, but it was too big. It couldn’t get out on the Parana River and into the Atlantic for half the year. The water level was too low.

So finding they have Sherman tanks is not surprising.