Return and death of Perón in Argentina
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The return of civilian government failed to curb political conflict. Leftist and Peronist terrorism escalated. Rightist vigilantes, also pledging support for Perón, kidnapped and murdered opponents. In June 1973 Perón returned to Buenos Aires, but a violent fight broke out at the airport where he landed and resulted in about 400 deaths. Cámpora then resigned. Perón won the presidency in September elections with more than 60 percent of the vote. His third wife, Isabel de Perón, became vice president. |
The physical strain of the presidency proved too much for the aging Perón, who died on July 1, 1974, leaving his wife as the first female chief executive in the Western Hemisphere. During her brief presidency, political and economic conditions deteriorated rapidly. In 1975 terrorist activities by right- and left-wing groups resulted in the deaths of more than 700 people. The cost of living climbed steeply, and strikes and demonstrations continually threatened stability. In 1976 a military junta, led by Lieutenant General Jorge Rafael Videla, seized power, dissolved the National Congress, and proclaimed martial law. Encarta |
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