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Leopoldo CastelliArgentine General
Date of Birth: 15.07.1926
Country:  Argentina |
Content:
- Leopoldo Galtieri: Argentine Dictator and Military Leader
- Ascent to Power
- Presidency
- Falklands War
- Arrest and Trial
- Later Life
Leopoldo Galtieri: Argentine Dictator and Military Leader
Early Life and CareerBorn into a working-class family of Italian immigrants, Leopoldo Galtieri joined the military academy at the age of 17. He trained as an engineering officer and later rose through the ranks, commanding artillery during the suppression of an anti-dictatorship rebellion in 1969.
Ascent to Power
In 1975, Galtieri became head of the Argentine Army's Engineering Corps. He supported the military coup that brought Jorge Videla to power and was rewarded with the rank of major general in 1977 and lieutenant general in 1980, as commander-in-chief. He participated in the junta's campaign of clandestine persecution of political opponents.
Presidency
In December 1981, Galtieri seized power from the previous dictator. As president, he did not appoint a new commander-in-chief, maintaining control over the military.
Falklands War
Amidst declining popularity of the dictatorship, Galtieri ordered a military operation in April 1982 to seize control of the Falkland Islands, which Argentina disputed with the United Kingdom. This action led to the Falklands War, which resulted in an Argentine defeat. Days after the restoration of British sovereignty over the islands, Galtieri was overthrown.
Arrest and Trial
In late 1983, Galtieri was arrested and put on trial for human rights abuses (for which he was acquitted) and for his disastrous leadership of Argentine forces in the Falklands War (for which he was convicted and imprisoned in 1986). He was pardoned in 1991.
Later Life
In 2002, new charges were brought against Galtieri for kidnappings and murders of dissidents and foreign nationals. He was placed under house arrest, where he remained until his death from a heart attack.
