Supporters and army officers from dictatorship era gather in Argentina as political shift continues

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina Former military officers from Argentina's dictatorship era and their families organized an unusual rally on Saturday demanding the release of imprisoned colleagues convicted of human rights violations during the 1976-1983 junta rule. The protest was widely seen as provocative in a country committed to the "Nunca Ms" principle, which emphasizes never returning to authoritarian rule.

The gathering took place at Plaza de Mayo, a historic site where women have long protested the disappearance of children under the junta. Known as the Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo, these women have silently circled the plaza every Thursday for decades to demand justice. Critics of the ex-officers, including numerous counter-protesters, viewed the rally as a troubling signal of growing division in Argentina over the dictatorship's violent legacy.

President Milei Defends Military Actions

Right-wing President Javier Milei has diverged sharply from previous administrations, often portraying the dictatorship's repression as a necessary struggle against leftist guerrillas. Vice President Victoria Villarruel, whose father was an Argentine lieutenant colonel, has long advocated for recognizing victims of leftist violence as other victims. Human rights groups see the governments reassessment of the dictatorship as an attempt to legitimize extrajudicial killings, which claimed or disappeared an estimated 30,000 people.

Last week, Milei appointed Lt. Gen. Carlos Alberto Presti, the Army chief of staff, as the new defense minister. This marks the first time a military officer has held such a position since Argentina returned to democracy in 1983. The administration described it as a step to end what it calls the demonization of military personnel.

Protesters Rally for Military Recognition

The demonstration included patriotic songs and banners demanding freedom for jailed officers. Maria Asuncion Benedit, whose late husband was involved in a 1975 anti-guerrilla campaign, said the protest aimed to secure moral vindication for veterans. Participants wore black bandanas in contrast to the white kerchiefs symbolizing the disappeared children.

Unlike other Latin American nations, Argentina has prosecuted over a thousand military personnel for crimes during the dictatorship, with hundreds still awaiting trial. Pedro Nieto, a veteran from Salta, traveled 36 hours to show support for imprisoned colleagues. Meanwhile, Alejandro Perez, whose uncle was abducted during the dictatorship, expressed fear seeing former officers openly rally near the government palace, protected by police.

Authorities kept the ex-officers separate from counter-protesters holding signs reading Never Again and honoring the 30,000 victims. Perez described the tense atmosphere amid heavy rain, highlighting the deep societal divisions over historical memory.

International Concern

The demonstrations coincided with a United Nations Committee Against Torture report criticizing the Milei administration for cutting programs investigating military abuses and reducing support for institutions focused on memory and justice. The report also raised concerns about transparency in compensating victims.

Milei, a radical libertarian elected in 2023, has focused on achieving a fiscal surplus by reducing state spending, while simultaneously increasing the military budget. At a recent U.N. meeting, Alberto Baos, Mileis top human rights official, defended the governments approach, claiming commitment to complete, unbiased and unobtrusive historical memory and rejecting the reports findings.

Author’s Analysis: Rising Tensions Over Argentina’s Military Legacy

The recent rally of former military officers in Plaza de Mayo underscores a deepening divide in Argentina over the country’s dictatorship era. What makes this demonstration particularly provocative is not only its location—a site historically associated with victims of the junta—but also the government’s implicit support through appointments and public statements.

President Javier Milei’s defense of military actions and the appointment of Lt. Gen. Carlos Alberto Presti as defense minister signal a significant shift in state narrative. For decades, Argentina has maintained accountability for crimes committed during the 1976–1983 dictatorship, distinguishing itself in Latin America by prosecuting thousands of military personnel. This new direction risks eroding the hard-won consensus on human rights and historical memory.

Counter-protests and international scrutiny highlight the societal and diplomatic repercussions. Human rights organizations and the UN Committee Against Torture have expressed concern about diminishing support for memory and justice programs, framing the government’s actions as potentially legitimizing past abuses. The growing polarization at events like this rally illustrates that Argentina’s reconciliation with its past remains fragile, and future policy decisions will likely continue to provoke intense public debate.

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• Dictatorship-era army officers and supporters rally in Argentina in latest sign of political shift