Definition of the Falklands War

In early April 1982 naval forces of the Argentine army occupied the archipelago of the Falkland Islands. The British reacted immediately and Prime Minister Margaret Tatcher ordered warships of the navy set sail for the Falkland Islands (the English name) in order to maintain British sovereignty. In two months the Falklands War ended with a British victory and the consequent social upheaval among the Argentines.

Causes of the conflict

In the months before the war, Argentina was going through a turbulent period. General Galtieri's military regime faced deep popular discontent sparked by a inflation uncontrolled. To divert media attention, it was decided to give a coup by occupying the territory of the Malvinas, islands that Argentina had been claiming since 1833 when the British occupied them militarily.

Observing its consequences

Lieutenant General Galtieri had to leave the presidency of Argentina after the military failure and during the presidency of Raúl Alfonsín he was condemned by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces Argentinas.

From the point of view of strategy military, the Falklands War served to perfect the ship's radar systems.

In relation to human losses, the Falklands War caused approximately 1,000 deaths, most of them among the Argentine military.

With the passage of time it became known that the government Pinochet's Chilean collaborated closely with the British to promote his military triumph. Some historians claim that Chile's support was based on the fear that Argentines might attempt to occupy the Beagle Islands, an archipelago in Chile that has generated diplomatic confrontations with Argentina.

After the declassification of some official documents, it has been learned that the forces Peruvian armed forces were ready to support Argentina militarily, but ultimately did not intervene because his participation depended on Chile's military involvement in the conflict.

On April 2 of each year, a national tribute is paid to the veterans and those who died in the Falklands War

The choice of this day is not accidental, as it was on April 2, 1982 when the Argentine military landed in the Malvinas.

This recognition is the consequence logic of two concrete phenomena:

1) During the years following the war, Argentine society turned its back on the families of the fallen victims and on veterans and

2) the Falklands War generated a wave of suicides among the Argentine military and it is estimated that there could be more than 350 who took this tragic decision.

Photos: Fotolia - Henryk Sadura - Fieldwork