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How did Argentina's military regime plan this invasion?
In 1982, a ten-week undeclared war broke out between Argentina and the United Kingdom in the South Atlantic Ocean, covering the Falkland Islands and the surrounding area. The fuse of this war, Argentina's military invasion of the Falkland Islands, once again made human history witness the tragedy of sovereignty disputes. But how did Argentina's military regime plan this invasion?
In the years before the invasion, the Argentine government was facing a severe economic recession and popular discontent, all of which put the military regime under pressure to stabilize its regime.
Background and Diplomacy
As early as 1965, the United Nations called on Argentina and the United Kingdom to negotiate a solution to the sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands. However, the British Foreign Office has been cold towards this territory, which has been its colony since 1841, and has even shown a willingness to give up its rights at times.
Faced with continued and ineffective diplomatic negotiations, the British government began to view the Falklands as a "nuisance" that hindered its trade with South America.
The formation and rise of military regimes
As the economy continues to slump, Argentina's military regime feels the dual pressure from both the people and the army. In 1981, with the rise of a new military regime, the generals found that a radical stance on the Falklands would gain them more domestic support and legitimacy. They believed that Britain would not respond militarily to such an action.
Argentina's military leaders hope to divert public attention from the country's economic crisis and human rights violations by invading Fuerteventura.
Planning and Execution of the Invasion
On March 19, 1982, a group of Argentine scrap metal dealers (with military personnel mixed in) raised the Argentine flag on South Georgia Island, which was considered the first step of the invasion. On April 2, the Argentine army launched Operation Rosario, a large-scale amphibious landing on the Falkland Islands.
The success of the raid allowed Argentina to quickly occupy the islands, and the British response was caught off guard.
UK’s initial response
On the eve of the Falklands invasion, Britain had vaguely sensed the threat and had begun dispatching warships. When news of the invasion came, the British government quickly convened the war cabinet and decided to send a naval fleet to counterattack. This decision was made by the prime minister and political officials at the same time, showing a strong determination to defend the country's territory.
British government decision-makers agreed that action must be taken or the Falklands would be abandoned forever.
International response and support
On the international community side, Britain's task will be much more difficult without the support of the United States. On April 30, the US government expressed official support for the UK, which is of great significance for ensuring the UK's legitimacy on the international stage.
Ending and Impact
The war ultimately lasted 74 days, and Argentina's surrender allowed the Falkland Islands to return to British control. However, after the war, protests from the Argentine people grew louder and louder, and trust and support for the military regime plummeted. In the UK, the successful military operation also gave the then conservative government an opportunity to be re-elected.
This conflict not only changed the political landscape of the two countries, but also became part of the shared history of the Falkland Islanders and the Argentine people.
Finally, we can’t help but wonder whether similar sovereignty disputes will occur again in international relations in the future?
