Politics / Argentina
Argentina politics page with daily media monitoring across Clarincom, Lanacion and Pagina12, structured summaries of domestic political developments and a country-level press overview.
Alejandro Borensztein, a 50 años del golpe del 24 de marzo: “Había conciencia que se venía la noche”
Summary
Reflecting on the military coup of March 24, 1976, the shares personal memories from when they were 17 years old. They describe a sense of fatigue and apprehension about the political climate leading up to the coup.
The recounts a pivotal moment when their father entered the room, indicating a shift in their family's awareness of the impending danger. They acknowledge that many in society were initially supportive of the coup, complicating the narrative of universal dissent.
A family history of political repression is highlighted, particularly the detention of a cousin in 1974, which deepened the 's understanding of the risks associated with the coup. This personal connection to political events underscores the pervasive fear within their household.
The emphasizes the realization that the coup marked the beginning of a more challenging era for political discourse and personal safety. They express a bittersweet memory of the transition from Isabel Perón's government to the military regime.
Perspectives
short
Support for the coup's initial acceptance
- Acknowledges that many people were happy with the coups goal
- Recognizes a societal tendency to support the military takeover at the time
Critique of the coup's implications
- Highlights the fear and repression experienced by families like theirs
- Questions the morality of the coup given the personal losses and societal impact
Neutral / Shared
- Notes the complexity of public sentiment regarding the coup
Key entities
Timeline highlights
00:00–05:00
The speaker reflects on their experience as a 17-year-old during the military coup on March 24, 1976, highlighting a mix of relief and fear. The family's history of political repression, including the detention of a cousin, intensified their concerns about the coup's implications.
- On March 24, 1976, the speaker was a 17-year-old on the brink of starting college, marking a pivotal moment in both their life and the nations history
- The speakers father conveyed a sense of dread about the military coup, contrasting with the relief many felt in society, highlighting a divide in public sentiment
- The familys experience with political repression, particularly the detention of the speakers cousin two years earlier, intensified their fears regarding the coups consequences
- The fathers ban from television illustrated the oppressive environment under Isabel Peróns regime, emphasizing the familys ongoing battle against authoritarianism
- The speaker reflects on a complex mix of relief and fear as the coup occurred, capturing the emotional turmoil surrounding the end of one government and the uncertainty of what lay ahead
- The fathers understanding that the situation would deteriorate after the coup marked a shift from hope for their cousins release to a recognition of the looming threat