Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The armed forces returned Argentina to civil-
ian government in 1958, but in the following 18
years there were nine different governments
and countless coups. Each government seemed
incapable of solving the serious economic prob-
lems facing Argentina: inflation was extremely
high; the trade deficit was unmanageable; and
foreign ownership of Argentine companies had
hit a high of nearly 60%. The military exercised
a great deal of power during this period. Heavy
use of torture and murder was not uncommon.
These repressive conditions created the proper
climate for Juan Perón to stage a comeback.
Perón ran by proxy in the 1973 elections and
won. He made his third wife, María Estela
(Isabel) Martínez, vice-president and
attempted to undo some of the damage wrought
in the previous 20 years. However, his efforts
were cut short by his sudden death in mid-1974
and “Isabelita” was left in control. Her govern-
ment, like most to follow, was marked by cor-
ruption, conservatism and an increased
reliance on violence. The military seized power
again in March, 1976.
The Military Takes Control
Although the military had never run the coun-
try with great success, the new
junta
passed a
constitutional amendment giving them both
executive and legislative powers. This was to
become the worst period in Argentina's history.
General Jorge Videla
was chosen as the new
president and he determined to attack the
