A nasty political battle is going on in the heart of South America, eclipsed in the media by the high-stakes politics of more visible players like Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Venezuela. Citizens of Paraguay go to the polls on April 27, 2003 to choose among candidates for every elected position in the country, from president to local council members. The election is crucial to the social and economic viability of this potentially rich — but troubled — country. Voters must decide between business as usual and a new reformist movement.