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August 19, 2003
Aregentina In A Nut Shell
The Argentine people were often forced to equate economic stability with societal bullying. One of the most famous authoritarian leaders to be seated in power, Juan Peron, rose from the ranks of politics to control the lives of every Argentinean, as president of the country. Helped to power by the conniving prowess of his wife Eva Peron, and his own charisma, Peron heralded in a time of Argentinean economic and seemingly social stability. To achieve this, Peron held tight to the reigns of “free” press and political opposition.
Even Peron’s non-democratic presidency was not enough to fight the crippled economy brought about by the disastrous effect of WWII on all of Europe, Argentina’s major trading partner. A drawn out economic swan dive served as Argentina’s catalyst for the coup in 1955 that usurped Peron from power. The people's favorite, Eva, Juan Peron’s wife, operatically portrayed by Madonna in Hollywood’s “Evita,” died in 1952, at the start of Juan Peron’s second term as president.
Widowed and usurped, Peron found himself in exile in Spain until 1973, when then Argentinean President Campora resigned from office. Peron returned, and again ruled Argentina until his death in 1976, which then quickly transformed the country back into its status quo of fighting tooth and nail to stay economically afloat.
Without a president, Argentina’s military decided to try its hand at governance. All the other South American countries had tried it at one time or another, perhaps they figured it was their turn at the plate. Unlike their fellow South American vecinos (neighbors) the Argentinean military, headed by General Jorge Videla, had a plan. They noticed that other militaries quickly lost their ability to rule when the citizens tried to take their government back. Videla’s answer to a united uprising was to squelch any organization before it was able to form. However, a group of young educated rebels, the “Monteneros,” decided to take up arms against Argentina and fought to uphold Eva Peron’s anti-elitist philosophies. Using kidnapping and ammunition to secure their power and money, the Monteneros are perhaps not much better than Videla’s military. In response to the violent dissidents, Videla initiated a plan called the Process of National Reorganization, or the "Proceso." These actions begat the infamous Dirty War. The government fought back with their own kidnappings. It was so common to hear of someone having been taken, that those who disappeared were given the title of “Desaparecidos” (the Disappeared). No reliable number of the Disappeared has ever been tabulated, but numbers are speculated in the tens of thousands. Targeted was anyone suspected of aiding and/or abetting those that sought to overthrow the government-it is apparent that suspicions ran high as so many disappeared during a relatively short seven years. Caught in the middle, the Argentinean people feared for themselves and their family. At least in an open war one could see the battlefields, in the Dirty War battle lines were always obscured, if ever any existed.
Then came the Falklands War: Argentina’s diversionary tactic to their political and economic state of duress. In short, the Falklands War was an ill-conceived maneuver to defeat the British military and reclaim the Falkland Islands, thereby uniting the country against a common enemy. Guess who won…well, Margaret Thatcher’s British military crushed the Argentinean forces in about two and a half months, but to this day Argentineans still claim that the Falklands are theirs. A greater good that came of the war was the disgrace of the Argentinean military, forcing its resignation from its governmental tenure. Democracy again reigned, but without much surprise, Argentina’s economy is still dismal. Its future reads much like that of its neighbors. A stable horizon is far from view, but as of now, the tsunami waters have been subdued to almost bearable swells.
Dear SIr,
I am deeply offended by the tone of your article. I do not ignore my countries past, but you speak with such firm tone of Argentina's flaws that it seems that you are a specialised historian. I invite everyone to visit this amazing country (where no one disappears anymore), with its amazing people, cultural assets and natural scenery.
I plead you oversee whatever idea you get from the "Argentina as a soap opera" article, as it is totally false.
The same thing for the US would be to bring up only the discrimination for the negros, the Vietnam War, the placement of US-responding dictators all over LAtin America (who then "disappeared" people) and the assasination of Kennedy (stating that US citizens kill their presidents)
Thank you all and stay with an open mind, see for yourselves before you judge!!
Posted by: Tomas on November 3, 2003 08:01 AMTomas,
Thank you for your feedback on the Argentinian article. I am truly sorry you were offended by its tone. It has never been my intention to offend anyone. But, please allow me to defend the article. Argentina of today is most assuredly different from Argentina of the 1970´s. Argentina is one of my favorite South American countries, and I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to be currently traveling in it and experiencing it first hand. I believe Argentina and its people offer a lot for any traveler. I am not a blind judge who makes comments without basis. The quick history of Argentina comes from research and a synthesis of many factual and expert historical accounts.
Every country has some aspect about its history it would rather not discuss. Yes, today´s Argentina is not like the Argentina of yesterday. However, to deny or ignore what happened to the thousands of people during the Dirty War (name given by historians) is the equivalent of saying that the holocaust was no big deal. Thousands of people were tortured, horribly killed, mutilated, raped, and intimidated into agreeing with the state. Human rights atrocities were acted upon Argentina´s own people. You say you are upset by the tone employed. I am sorry for that, however, to give the appalling atrocities a candy coated spin would be an offense to the thousands who suffered during this period. I am sure those who were killed for making an off the cuff comment in opposition to their country would not find it appropriate to glaze over this part of history and let the international community believe that it was no big deal. It would be unfair, wrong, and heartless to play off their suffering as an act to be forgotten and seen in a positive light.
I am not condemning Argentina, on the contrary, I am simply discussing a vital part of its history. No, it is not something to be proud of, but neither is it something to forget. I can not put a positive spin on what happened. I am writing about factual events of every country, and Argentina{s factual history can not be described without a mention of past atrocities. If you take offense to my article, I again apologize, however, you must then take offense at every account of the Dirty War. I hope you are consistent in your discontent by commenting on every guide book and history book ever written that includes a section on Argentina´s Dirty War.
You comment about the United States and its atrocities. I am in no way disagreeing with you. I have already stated that every country has some part of its history that they are not proud of. Were I writing about the US I would also include its many faults. Any history of the US that wishes to be considered seriously must include the countries horrible mistakes. Without a comment on slavery, the Japanese-American internment of WWII, the nuclear weapons drop on a civilian city, secret military tribunals in response to Sept. 11th, and hundreds of other incidents, its history would be incomplete and offensive. I am in no way saying one country is better than the other, on the contrary. Every country has something it wishes to forget, but forgetting is the biggest affront to history. I refuse to ignore any fault and paint it in a positive light. From this statement I hope you gather that the US´s history is also pock'marked with shame, but I am not offended by the truth. I am offended by its omission. It happened, and we are to understand it, not deny it or become angry at those who discuss it truthfully. It is the enlightened person who can see past mistakes and take them in with an open mind. Bad things happen, don´t deny them, acknowledge them. The famous saying is that we study history to learn from our mistakes. It is obvious that we are forgetful creatures, we do repeat ourselves in history. But it is partly due to the thinking that the past was not as bad as those who wrote about it that perpetuates our redundant mistakes.
I wrote the truth, and if the truth offends you then for that I am deeply sorry. Yes, Argentina is indeed different today, but one must see from where it was built to understand where it is.
Again, thank you for your comment. I am always glad when someone states their logical beliefs, even if they are not the same as mine, I generally still have respect for them, as I do for you.
Sincerely,
South America Travel Guide
In defense of the Argentina as A Soap Opera I have to say that this a brief historical synopsis in a travelogue. It is not meant to be comprehensive and doesn't claim to be so. It is not meant to drive away international travelers but rather to pique their interest.
The only reason that there are not further stories in the Argentina section is because the author just arrived in the country several days ago. At least give him a week to start writing about all the wonderul things about Argentina that he is seeing first hand.
Knowledge of the history of the country only deepens the traveling experience because it gives you a sense of what the Argentinian people have fought against and overcome. Acknowledgement of that history should not be equated with lack of respect for Argentina. I know as a traveler myself that what drives me crazy is when foreigners travel the world with no sense of the unique nature of the countries they are visiting. They go around taking pictures because things are pretty and quaint but without a full picture of the people that are catering to their every need - their new local friends, their guides, their waiters, their taxi drivers etc. History in all its dirty details is essential in that understanding and respect.
And as someone who knows the author fairly well, I can definitely confirm the fact that he would be the first person to bring up the numerous injustices inflicted by the US on its own citizens and on people around the world.
So my point is, give the author some time to actually write about the country now that he has arrived there, and I think you will see that he has a deep respect for the people of Argentina, their culture, and the natural beauty of the country.
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