Rather, he chose to be a self-taught scholar of many subjects, including the social sciences, history of the Americas, and geography.

[4] As president of a Paraguay reeling from internal crises, Gondra was written by Arturo Bray [es] as having an "abulic temperament, to the despair of his friends, which has cost the country so much blood.

"[1] Gondra's presidency came to an end when Colonel Albino Jara launched a coup against him on 17 August 1911, despite sharing similar political agenda.

Immediately following, the supporters of the opposing candidate, schaereristas, and their leader Eduardo Schaerer (who Gondra formerly served under) erupted into violence, in what became the Paraguayan Civil War.

In this emerging civil war, Eduardo Schaerer pressured the Interior Minister José Guggiari (a close ally) to resign, but Gondra resisted.