The Falklands War (Falklands War or Guerra de las Malvinas) it was a conflict that occurred in 1982 between Great Britain and Argentina. The intention was to gain possession of the archipelago, which is located 464 kilometers off the Argentine coast.
There were two months of war that began on April 2 and lasted until June 14, 1982. Ultimately, the British won and remained in possession of the territory.
The Malvinas Islands are 464 km off the Argentine coast
Causes
The conflict was initiated by order of the former Argentine dictator Leopoldo Galtieri (1926-2003). He ordered the occupation of the islands, which had been in Britain's possession since 1833.
The justification was the unification of the islands to the Argentine territory. In the dictator's assessment, the Argentine territory should be indivisible. Possession by a foreign nation was a threat to sovereignty.
Summary
On April 2, 1982, the Argentine government ordered the landing of a joint army and navy force on the island of Port Stanley.
"Operation Rosario", as it was called, had the objective of expelling the military and representations of the English government.
The retake occurred with little resistance and the island was renamed Puerto. The occupation was celebrated in the streets of Argentina. Thousands occupied the front of the Casa Rosada, seat of the Argentine government in Buenos Aires, as a sign of support for the end of 149 years of the British presence in the region.
On the same day, the British Crown announced the severing of relations between Great Britain and Argentina. the british prime minister Margaret Thatcher (1925-2013) sent a powerful counterattack. There were 27,000 soldiers and 111 warships.
The Security Council of the UN (United Nations) was also called. Argentina was diplomatically isolated and had a visible military disadvantage.
The Argentine action was also placed as an opportunity for Soviet expansion in South America. The result would be a countercoup within a dictatorship backed by the United States of America.
The US was the main supporter of the British through the provision of weapons and information via satellite. In addition to logistical support, on April 8, the Panama Canal was opened for the passage of 111 British ships.
Support from Brazil
The Argentine government named Brazil as its representative in Great Britain. In practice, the action could be translated as moral support.
Brazil recognized the possession of the island by the Argentines since 1833, but it has an important commercial partner in Great Britain.
The end of the war
The war ended after successive peace negotiations at the UN. Even Pope John Paul II asked for peace on a visit to both countries.
Without agreement, the conflict ended on June 14, 1982. The UK regained territory, and since then no other armed conflict has questioned the outcome.
Consequences
Argentine soldiers in trenches; 255 died in the war
In 75 days of war, 649 Argentine soldiers, 255 British and three civilians died. The Falklands War overthrew the Military Junta that governed the country. This is how Argentina restored democracy.
On the British side, the victory in the confrontation was an efficient electoral propaganda. After the war, Margaret Thatcher won the 1983 elections.
Falklands War – 2012
30 years after its beginning, the dispute over the ownership of the Falklands Islands was the target of a diplomatic incident registered in 2012.
This time, former Argentine president Cristina Kirchner accused Britain of colonialism for maintaining sovereignty over the islands.
At the time, former British Prime Minister David Cameron replied that the situation would not change. The then prime minister claimed that the Malvinas people are self-determined British and that will would be respected.
Know more: Imperialism
