Cubas Grau, Raül (1943- )

Paraguayan politician and president 1998-99. He emphasized the urgency of his administration's aim of rejuvenating the economy and tackling the scourge of drug trafficking and poverty within the country. He also proposed the establishment of policies to reduce political corruption and increase the international image of his nation. In March 1999, however, Paraguay's vice-president was assassinated and MPs voted to impeach Cubas for abuse of power. In April Cubas resigned and the leader of the Senate, Luis Gonzalez Macchi, took over the presidency. Cubas fled to Brazil, where he was granted political asylum.

A former economy minister under Carlos Wasmosy, he is a member of the dominant Asociación Nacional Republicana (ANR; Colorado Party), and was originally its vice-presidential candidate in the 1998 election campaign until the presidential candidate, Lino César Oviedo, was removed in mid-campaign. He is an engineer by profession.