Thousands of people drive along Senador Long in Asunción every day, meeting friends in its bars, or mention the street without a second thought. Few stop to ask who Senator (Senador in Spanish) Long actually is. Even fewer know why an American politician gave his name to one of Asunción’s busiest streets.
On 10 September 2026, 91 years after his death on 10 September 1935, Paraguay continues to remember Huey Pierce Long almost a century after the Chaco War, when his name was on people’s lips in the hearth of South America. The story of Senador Long begins in the United States, where his outspoken defence of a distant nation leaves a lasting mark on Paraguayan history.
A voice for Paraguay during the Chaco War
Huey Pierce Long served as Governor of Louisiana before becoming a United States Senator in 1932. Although he would never visit Paraguay, in 1932 he closely follows the Chaco War. The conflict takes place between Paraguay and Bolivia from 1932 to 1935. Both countries fight over the disputed Chaco Boreal territory.
In May 1934, Long delivers a remarkable speech in the United States Senate. He argues that powerful foreign oil interests, especially Standard Oil, encourage Bolivia’s military campaign. According to Long, these companies seek access to valuable natural resources in the Chaco. He also insists that Paraguay has a legitimate historical claim to the territory. At the same time, he criticises the influence of large corporations on international affairs.
Why Paraguay remembers Senador Long
Senator Long’s speech quickly attracts international attention. Newspapers across the Americas and Europe report on his remarks. Historians still debate the extent of corporate influence on the conflict. Even so, Long’s public defence of Paraguay gives the country an influential voice inside the United States at a crucial moment.
His arguments resonate deeply with Paraguayans. They present the nation as a small country defending its sovereignty against stronger political and economic forces. His intervention does not change the course of the war. However, many Paraguayans remember his willingness to speak publicly in their favour. Few international figures do the same at the time.
More than a street name
Today, Senador Long Street in Asunción’s Villa Morra neighbourhood stands as the clearest reminder of his legacy. The avenue later becomes one of the best-known dining and nightlife districts in Paraguay’s capital. Thousands of residents and visitors encounter his name every week. Restaurants, bars, and businesses adopt the street’s name. As a result, his memory remains part of everyday conversation.
Long’s life ends abruptly in September 1935 after an assassination inside the Louisiana State Capitol. The attack comes only months after the Chaco War concludes. Even so, his speeches continued to hold a unique place in Paraguay’s historical memory.
Nearly a century later, Senador Long remains an unusual figure in the country’s history. He is neither a Paraguayan soldier nor a national politician. Yet his public defence of Paraguay during one of its defining conflicts earns him lasting recognition.
Also read: The Victory Of Boquerón: Back To Paraguay’s First Successful Chaco War Siege.
