Argentina’s “Dirty War”, from 1976 to 1983, was a violent campaign by the Government against suspected dissidents. The military junta, under General Jorge Videla, who had seized power from the president, maintained that the tactics of war, including torture, were necessary to maintain social order.

The country had been in political turmoil since the former president Colonel Juan Perón had resigned in 1955. For nearly two decades Argentina flitted between military and democratic rule, and suffered from economic decline and social unrest. When Perón returned from exile in 1973 he held a wide range of support, from centrist trade unionists, to neo-fascists to the “Monteneros” socialists. After his reelection, a clear preference for the Right lost him left-wing support and terrorist violence increased.

Following Perón’s death in 1974, his widow and vice-president Isabel MartÍnez de Perón took power. Guerrilla activity increased. The most active group was the communist People’s Revolutionary Army, who carried out attacks on military outposts, police stations and convoys. Hundreds were left dead, amid strikes, demonstrations and high inflation.

MartÍnez de Perón issued a series of “annihilation decrees” empowering the military and the police to annihilate left-wing subversion. “As many people as necessary must die in Argentina so that the country will again be secure,” said Videla in 1975. He was then commander-in-chief of the Army.

In 1976 the military seized power. Opposition from trade unionists, students and other activists was quashed by the “death squads”. Trials were suspended, people were dragged off the street in full public view. Protesters (half of whom were trade unionists) were arrested, tortured, killed or deported under the guise of the “national reorganisation process”. Human rights groups estimate that up to 30,000 people may have “disappeared” during this time. Worldwide public disapproval grew and the US withdrew military aid.

In 1982, the new head of the army, General Leopoldo Galtieri, failed to garner public support with his unsuccessful Falklands campaign.

In 1983, Argentina returned to civilian rule. During the Trial of the Juntas in 1985, the judge found that neither protesters nor guerrillas had warranted the extreme tactics of the military. He condemned the “Dirty War” as genocide.

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