https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB416/docs/800407dos.pdf
Starting in 1945, the Cold War occurred post-World War II with conflicts between the Soviet Union and the United States. The Cold War began in 1945 with confrontations between the Soviet Union and the United States. These conflicts involved military, political, and ideological rivalry, impacting countries globally, specifically Latin America. Many Latin American countries experienced harsh authoritarian bureaucracies and military technocracies to prevent the spread of leftist ideologies. More specifically, in Argentina, there was a lot of political turmoil between the leftist and right-wing beliefs. During the 1970’s, Operation Condor came into effect, a campaign coordinated by military dictatorships to suppress leftist believers. The military dictatorship in Argentina enacted the Dirty War as they believed that the city was the issue as the “enemy is within.” Ultimately, politics were the real threats to society and committed crimes and brutal interrogation tactics such as abductions, torture, and disappearances.
The source above is called “Conversation with Argentine Intelligence Source.” A regional security officer spoke with a member of Argentine intelligence as they discussed the disappearance of two montoneros between Mexico and Rio de Janeiro. A separate montonero was captured and interrogated, as they revealed that they would meet Horacio Campiglia and Susana Binstok. Other montoneros were captured and interrogated on their plans to prevent threats and chaos. The Argentine intelligence went to great lengths to cover up their operations with false trials and manipulation tactics. It further reveals how the country’s authoritative figures went to all lengths to target Montero guerrillas. Ultimately, the Cold War is shaping Argentine internal actions as their military dictatorship wants to eliminate any threats through state violence, operations, and more to detect suspected leftists.
This relates to a conversation between the secretary of state, Henry Kissinger, and Argentine foreign minister, Admiral Cesar Guzzetti, in 1976. They spoke about Argentina being in a difficult period of political terrorist activities. These activities are causing issues over controlling the people and maintaining order. Kissinger also offered to help Argentina by involving other powerful people to stabilize the country. Some destabilization stems from foreigners or asylum seekers from different countries. This means that as people seek refuge, it also means bringing threats and terrorists. The cause of this oftentimes is anti-imperialist perspectives and other perspectives that go against Western ideals. A solution is carried out as well; to end terrorism and strengthen the country as a whole, everyone must understand the causes of issues that occur within society.
Additionally, because of the terrorist threats and suspicions amongst the public, Argentinians were kidnapped from the street or even their homes. These people went through brutal torture methods by the military and were oftentimes killed or didn’t live to tell the stories of what they endured. However, some survivors have come forward to recount in testimonies the atrocities they went through and expose the violation of human rights and abuse that occurred. In an account by a survivor, they claimed that they were beaten down, electrocuted, burned, tied up, and so much worse. These torture methods were meant to intimidate and force answers out of people by embedding fear, as these horror stories show the aggressiveness of the military. It’s very dehumanizing to break someone down mentally and physically as the militia has.
The archive and the history of the Cold War in Argentina illustrates how the geopolitical fears intersected with the political crisis that was occurring in Argentina. This brought on brutal campaigns through military dictatorships that abused human rights to get rid of anyone who was seen or perceived to be a national threat. The conversation between Kissinger and Guzzetti reflects the United States’ support for the Argentine dictatorship, even if it means instilling fear and terror in society. The testimonies themselves show the extremes of the Cold War era in Latin America in just one region alone, as domestic fears were weaponized to justify such cruelty in Argentina.
Citation
Department of State, SECRET, “Conversation with Argentine Intelligence Source,” Buenos Aires, memorandum, April 7, 1980, Operation Condor on Trial: Legal Proceedings on Latin American Rendition and Assassination Program Open in Buenos Aires, (Washington, D.C.: The National Security Archive and Chadwyck-HeaIey, 1990), National Security Archive Electronic Briefing Book No. 416, posted March 8, 2013.
Memorandum of Conversation between Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and Argentine Foreign Minister Admiral Cesar Guzzetti, Secret, 10 June 1976,” in Latin America since Independence: A History with Primary Sources, 3rd ed.,ed. Alexander Dawson, (Routledge, 2022), p. 247-249
National Commission on the Disappearance of Persons, “Never Again,” in The Argentina Reader: History, Culture, Politics, ed. Gabriella Nouzeilles and Graciela Montaldo, (Duke University Press, 2002), p. 442-444