Military JuntaThe la última junta militar (Military Junta / dictatorship) seized power by force in Argentina in 1976 and ruled mainly through fear and intimidation in what was known as the "Dirty War." 22 000 people disappeared at the hands of the Argentinean Secret Service by 1978 as the new government established themselves in power. Unfortunately the majority of these were never seen again. The Junta, led initially by Lieutenant General Jorge Rafaél Videla, terrified the Argentinean people with disappearances, rumours of torturings and executions. People were alledged arrested with insufficient or no evidence, and were put through mock trials where their "guilt" had been predetermined to allow them to be imprisoned if the Junta did not like them. The Junta removed trade unions, closed Congress and brought many government departments under the direct control of the armed forces in an effort to keep control. The "Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo" attempted to apply international pressure against their governments rule and raise awareness of the disappearances. The Junta fought its opposition on two fronts; it argued to the United Nations that it was fighting a civil war, whilst controlling any opposition through censorship and a fear of the secret police. . |
The Junta was unfortunate to inherit a very bad economic crisis. José Alfredo Martínez de Hoz, Minister for the Economy was forced to borrow money from abroad at high interest rates for essential public works which compunded the problem and drove the economy into even further financial difficulty when the interest repayments could not be met. General Roberto Viola took presidency in March 1981 from Videla in an effort to stabalise the country. He worked closely with Leopaldo Galteiri to combine the economic systems of capitalism and communism to keep their whole population happy. However, the scheme was unpopular because of the austerity measures applied in the short term. Negative puplic opinion evolved into hostility against the Junta in late 1981. In a desperate attempt to rally support for their faltering regime Galtieri thought of anything that could draw attention away from the economic problems at home. He looked to the Falklands Islands as an answer, Galtieri made a deal with his naval ally Vice Admiral Jorge Anaya to recapture the Falkland islands by force. With the support of Anaya, Galtieri took the presidency from Viola and ordered his military leaders to plan a quick operation that would seize the Falkland Islands. The plan was approved and the invasion began on April 2nd 1982. As news of Argentina's loss in the war spread to the public, thousands gathered in the streets to demand an end to the tyranical rule of the Junta, which was forced from power in early 1983; replaced by a democratic government. |
This audio link shows the relationship between Argentina and its rulers, explaining the assassinations and disspearances that occured as a direct result of the Military Junta.
'Where are they? The truth remains withheld' is written on the banner of relatives of those who had dissapeared to the Junta.
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