Fact Check: Under the government of Javier Milei, the Argentine state has been accused of vindicating the dictatorship and justifying state terrorism.

Fact Check: "Under the government of Javier Milei, the Argentine state has been accused of vindicating the dictatorship and justifying state terrorism."

What We Know

Under President Javier Milei's administration, there have been significant concerns regarding the government's approach to Argentina's military dictatorship (1976-1983) and its associated crimes. Human rights organizations and various media outlets have reported that Milei has attempted to rewrite the historical narrative surrounding the dictatorship, particularly by downplaying the number of victims and framing the military's actions as a justified response to terrorism. For instance, during a presidential debate, Milei controversially stated, “There were no 30,000” victims, referring to the commonly accepted figure of those who were "disappeared" during the regime (The Guardian).

On March 24, 2024, the anniversary of the coup, Milei's government released a video that purportedly presented an "official version" of the dictatorship's history, which included elements of the "theory of the two demons." This theory attempts to equate the violence of the military junta with that of leftist guerrilla groups, thereby justifying the regime's actions as a necessary counter-terrorism measure (Le Monde).

Human rights groups, including the Center of Legal and Social Studies (CELS), have condemned this narrative as a form of denialism and a direct affront to the memory of the victims (The Guardian). Furthermore, Milei's vice-president, Victoria Villarruel, has openly defended the military's actions during the dictatorship, reinforcing the government's controversial stance (The Conversation).

Analysis

The claim that the Milei government is vindicating the dictatorship and justifying state terrorism is supported by multiple credible sources. The actions and statements of both Milei and Villarruel suggest a systematic effort to reshape the public understanding of Argentina's past. For example, the government's revival of the "theory of the two demons" has been widely criticized as an attempt to legitimize the military's violent repression by framing it as a necessary response to leftist violence (NBC News).

Moreover, the backlash from human rights organizations indicates a strong societal resistance to this narrative. The protests on March 24, 2024, which drew between 80,000 and 100,000 participants, reflect a significant public dissent against the government's attempts to downplay the atrocities committed during the dictatorship (Le Monde).

The reliability of the sources reporting these events is high, as they include reputable news organizations and established human rights groups. The consistency of the reports across different platforms further strengthens the credibility of the claims regarding the government's actions and the public's reaction.

Conclusion

The claim that the Argentine state under Javier Milei has been accused of vindicating the dictatorship and justifying state terrorism is True. The evidence indicates a clear pattern of denialism and historical revisionism by the Milei administration, which seeks to reinterpret the violent past of the military junta in a way that diminishes its culpability and legitimizes its actions. This has sparked significant public outcry and resistance, underscoring the contentious nature of Milei's presidency in relation to Argentina's historical memory.

Sources

1. 'Justification of dictatorship': outcry as Milei rewrites ...
2. Argentina's Milei downplays atrocities committed by ...
3. Milei administration escalates attacks on human rights ...
4. Argentina: Javier Milei's government poses an urgent ...
5. On the anniversary of the 1976 military coup, Argentines ...
6. Victoria Villarruel on the military dictatorship and era of ...
7. State terrorism and memory, truth, and justice policies six ...
8. Outcry at event puts Villarruel's dictatorship beliefs in ...