Extrusionados

Extrusionados are a demographic group in Paraguay that consists of people of European colonizers who were extracted from the interior of the country to remote regions of Paraguay. This happened primarily during the 17th century, as Spain and Portugal established colonies in the Americas.

The term "extrusionados" refers specifically to people who were forcibly removed from the interior of the country and relocated to the Chaco region, which encompasses parts of Paraguay, Bolivia, and Argentina. These relocations were often conducted by Spanish conquistadors, colonial administrators, and missionaries, who sought to establish fortified settlements and control over the native populations.

Many extrusionados were convicts or prisoners who were sentenced to colonial service, while others were peasants or nobles from Europe. Upon arrival in the Chaco region, they faced numerous challenges, including harsh weather conditions, lack of sanitation, and struggles to adapt to unfamiliar environments. Isolation, disease, and violence were widespread.

The demographics of extrusionados diversified the population of Paraguay and introduced European ancestry to the Americas. Over time, many extrusionados assimilated with the indigenous people, adopting their customs and languages. Their legacy is still visible in the present-day Paraguayan society, where many people possess a mix of European and indigenous features. Today, researchers use historical records to reconstruct the lives and experiences of the extrusionados, shedding light on the complexities of colonial history.