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Joe BaxterArgentine revolutionary and guerrilla of Anglo-Irish descent.
Date of Birth: 24.05.1940
Country:  Argentina |
Content:
- Jose Baxter: Argentine Revolutionary and Guerrilla
- Turning Point: Radicalization and Transition
- International Exposure and Ideological Evolution
- Training and Collaboration
- The Revolutionary Army of the People
- Tragic End
Jose Baxter: Argentine Revolutionary and Guerrilla
Early Life and Political AwakeningBorn in Marcos Paz, Argentina, to an Anglo-Irish father who fostered his son's Irish heritage, Jose Baxter witnessed the political upheaval of Peron's downfall in 1957. His involvement in the right-wing nationalist Tacuaras movement led to his appointment as public relations officer.
Turning Point: Radicalization and Transition
As the movement grew, divisions emerged between Peronists and radical nationalists. Baxter aligned with the former, and when the Tacuaras split in 1962, he joined the Peronist-Revolutionary Tacuaras. Their notorious bank robbery in 1963 propelled Baxter into a pivotal role in laundering the proceeds.
International Exposure and Ideological Evolution
Baxter's experiences in Brazil and Uruguay broadened his political perspectives. Encounters with left-leaning intellectuals, including John William Cooke, sparked his interest in the Cuban Revolution. In 1965, he visited China to study its revolutionary principles.
Training and Collaboration
After meeting with Juan Peron in Spain, Baxter honed his guerrilla warfare skills in Algeria and North Vietnam. Upon returning to Uruguay, he joined the Tupamaros. His visit to Cuba in 1968 led to a shift towards Trotskyism.
The Revolutionary Army of the People
In 1970, Baxter returned to Argentina under cover to establish the Revolutionary Army of the People (ERP). Within the ERP, he led the Trotskyist faction. After severe repression forced him to flee, he sought refuge in Chile.
Tragic End
Baxter's life came to an abrupt end in 1973 when the plane carrying him from Paris to Buenos Aires crashed, killing him and his family. He was posthumously recognized as a symbol of Argentina's revolutionary struggle.
