LUIS MARIA ARGANA Vice president of Paraguay Related story: Obituary: Luis Maria Argana

Vice President Luis Maria Argana of Paraguay was assassinated March 23 when gunmen opened fire on him as he drove to work in the capital, Asuncion.

Argana became vice president in 1998 when former army chief Lino Oviedo was sentenced to 10 years in prison for trying to oust President Juan Wasmosy in 1996. Oviedo had defeated Argana in a party primary.

Oviedo's ally, Raul Cubas Grau, also was elected president in 1998. Cubas defied Paraguay's Supreme Court and refused to send Oviedo to prison, creating tensions that led to Argana's assassination.

In the unrest following Argana's death, which included the killing of eight student anti-government demonstrators, Cubas resigned as president and fled Paraguay to Brazil. Oviedo also left the country.