The attempted coup was led by a group that called itself "Fulgencio Yegros Patriotic Movement", formed by at least fifty soldiers, most of them retired and loyal to former General Lino Oviedo, who at the time was in political exile.

[1] On 18 May 2000, around 10:00 pm, troops loyal to former General Lino Oviedo rebelled against the government of President of Paraguay Luis Ángel González Macchi.

[4] At 1:30 am on 19 May, the Executive Branch decreed a state of exception in effect for 30 days throughout the national territory, as a result of the attempted coup d'état.

[5] At least thirty high-ranking military officers were detained in the presidential guard, including several retired army generals and colonels.

At least four deputies and several politicians belonging to the UNACE movement (at the time not yet a political party), which Lino Oviedo led in hiding, were also detained.