The subsequent intervention by the notorious far right Argentine leadership, following the racist song sung by some of the Argentina football team following their Copa America victory,
Le football en 2024 : racisme décomplexé 🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️ pic.twitter.com/MGkH5wPmNU
— Wesley Fofana (@Wesley_Fofana3) July 16, 2024
has lead to the ex Newcastle United, West Ham United, Chelsea and Senegal forward Demba Ba to state:
“Argentina, land of asylum for former Nazis on the run. From 1945, [Juan] Perón hosted war criminals. And it surprises you …”
Is Ba accurate?
The history of far-right sympathies within Argentinian governments can be traced back to the early 20th century, influenced by both domestic political dynamics and international events.
In the early 20th century, Argentina experienced significant social and economic changes, leading to the rise of nationalist sentiments. The Radical Civic Union (UCR), although not explicitly far-right, embodied a form of nationalism that opposed foreign influence and promoted national sovereignty. This period set the stage for more overtly right-wing ideologies to gain traction.
The military coup of 1930, led by General José Félix Uriburu, marked a significant shift towards authoritarianism. Uriburu’s regime was influenced by European fascist movements, particularly Mussolini’s Italy. His government promoted corporatism, anti-communism, and a strong central authority, which were hallmarks of far-right ideology.
During the 1930s, Argentina saw the emergence of several nationalist and fascist groups, such as the Nacionalistas and the Alianza Libertadora Nacionalista. These groups, though not always in power, influenced public discourse and had sympathizers within the government and military.
Juan Domingo Perón, who came to power in 1946, is a pivotal figure in Argentina’s political history. Perón’s ideology, known as Peronism, was a blend of populism, nationalism, and social justice. While Perón himself is a complex figure who cannot be easily categorised as far-right, his government harboured elements that leaned in that direction.
Perón’s admiration for Mussolini and his authoritarian style of governance raised concerns. His government provided refuge to numerous Nazi war criminals after World War II, fostering Argentina’s image as a haven for far-right figures. Additionally, Perón’s policies of state control over the economy and suppression of dissent had authoritarian undertones.
The 1970s were a dark period in Argentina’s history, marked by the Dirty War (La Guerra Sucia) and the rule of a brutal military junta from 1976 to 1983. The junta, led by General Jorge Rafael Videla, waged a campaign of terror against perceived leftist threats, resulting in the disappearance, torture, and murder of thousands of Argentinians.
The junta’s ideology was rooted in extreme nationalism, anti-communism, and Catholic conservatism. It sought to purge Argentina of any leftist influence, employing tactics reminiscent of European fascist regimes. This period represents the most overt manifestation of far-right sympathies within an Argentinian government.
After the fall of the junta in 1983, Argentina transitioned to democracy, and the country grappled with the legacy of the Dirty War. While democratic governments have ruled since, far-right sympathies have occasionally resurfaced.
In recent years, far-right rhetoric has gained traction in some political circles, mirroring global trends. Figures like President Javier Milei, an economist and politician known for his libertarian and nationalist views, have garnered significant support. Milei’s rhetoric often includes anti-establishment and anti-leftist sentiments, resonating with segments of the population disillusioned with traditional politics.
The history of far-right sympathies within Argentinian governments reflects broader global and regional trends, shaped by domestic political dynamics and international influences. From the early 20th centuries’ nationalist movements to the military junta’s brutal regime and the resurgence of far-right rhetoric in contemporary politics, this aspect of Argentina’s history underscores the persistent and evolving nature of far-right ideologies in the country.
Examples of Argentine authoritarianism and racism
Authoritarianism
- 1930 Coup and Uriburu’s Regime:
- Event: The military coup of 1930 led by General José Félix Uriburu.
- Details: This coup overthrew the democratically elected president Hipólito Yrigoyen and established a dictatorship. Uriburu’s regime suppressed political opposition and promoted a nationalist and corporatist state structure influenced by European fascism.
- Juan Domingo Perón’s Presidency (1946-1955):
- Event: Juan Domingo Perón’s three terms as president.
- Details: Perón’s government exhibited authoritarian traits, including the suppression of dissent, state control over the media, and the use of state power to maintain political dominance. His administration harbored Nazi war criminals, further cementing its authoritarian reputation.
- The Dirty War (1976-1983):
- Event: The military dictatorship during the Dirty War.
- Details: The junta led by General Jorge Rafael Videla engaged in widespread human rights abuses, including the kidnapping, torture, and murder of thousands of suspected leftists and dissidents. This period is marked by severe repression, censorship, and the systematic elimination of political opposition.
Racism
- Indigenous Displacement and Genocide:
- Event: The Conquest of the Desert (1870s-1880s).
- Details: This military campaign aimed to expand Argentine territory into indigenous lands in Patagonia and the Pampas. The campaign resulted in the displacement, massacre, and cultural assimilation of indigenous peoples, reflecting deep-seated racism and a desire to “civilize” the nation.
- Immigration Policies in the Early 20th Century:
- Event: Immigration laws and policies.
- Details: Argentina promoted European immigration while discriminating against non-European immigrants. Policies favored European immigrants, reflecting a racial hierarchy that marginalized non-European and indigenous populations. These policies aimed to “whiten” the population and align the nation more closely with European ideals.
- Anti-Semitism During Perón’s Era:
- Event: Perón’s asylum policies post-World War II.
- Details: Perón’s government provided refuge to Nazi war criminals, which bolstered anti-Semitic sentiments within Argentina. Additionally, there were instances of anti-Semitic violence and discrimination against Jewish communities during and after Perón’s regime.
- Discrimination Against Afro-Argentines and Mestizos:
- Event: Ongoing social and institutional racism.
- Details: Afro-Argentines and mestizos have faced systemic discrimination and marginalization. Despite their historical presence in Argentina, these communities have often been excluded from narratives of national identity and subjected to social and economic inequalities.
- The Villa Miserias (Shantytowns):
- Event: The growth of informal settlements, particularly in urban areas.
- Details: Many residents of these shantytowns are of indigenous or mixed descent, and they face significant discrimination and neglect from the state. The conditions in these areas reflect broader issues of racial and economic inequality in Argentina.
Contemporary Issues
- Racial Profiling and Police Violence:
- Event: Incidents of police brutality against minority communities.
- Details: Reports of racial profiling and excessive use of force by police, particularly against Afro-Argentines, indigenous people, and migrants, highlight ongoing issues of racism within law enforcement.
- Xenophobia Against Immigrants:
- Event: Discrimination against recent immigrants from neighboring countries.
- Details: Immigrants from Bolivia, Paraguay, and Peru often face xenophobic attitudes and policies that marginalize them socially and economically. These groups are frequently scapegoated for social problems and subjected to discriminatory practices.
Therefore, is Demba Ba accurate? Absolutely he is!
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