Héctor José Cámpora
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| Héctor Cámpora | |
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| In office May 25, 1973 – July 13, 1973 |
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| Vice President | Vicente Solano Lima |
| Preceded by | Alejandro Lanusse |
| Succeeded by | Raúl Lastiri |
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| Born | March 26, 1909 Mercedes, Buenos Aires |
| Died | December 18, 1980 Mexico City |
| Nationality | Argentinean |
| Political party | Justicialist |
| Profession | Dentist |
Héctor José Cámpora Demaestre (1909-1980) was president of Argentina from May 25 until July 13, 1973.
Cámpora, affectionately known as el Tío (the Uncle), was born in the city of Mercedes, in the Province of Buenos Aires. He earned a degree on dentistry in Córdoba and practiced his trade in his hometown before moving to nearby San Andrés de Giles.
As Juan Perón's "personal delegate," he ran for president in 1973 to circumvent the veto on Perón's participation in the election which had been issued by Argentine dictator Gen. Alejandro Lanusse. The presidential ticket also carried Vicente Solano Lima as candidate for vice president. Despite Cámpora's own left-leaning tendencies, Solano Lima belonged to the Popular Conservative Party.
Cámpora won the election with more than 49.5% of the votes. The Radical leader, Ricardo Balbín, had arrived second with 25%, but it was enough to include Cámpora in the runoff, as absolute majority was necessary to avoid a second ballot. However, he resigned his right in order to avoid a political crisis, and recognized his defeat. Cámpora assumed his functions on May 25, 1973, in the presence of Chilean President Salvador Allende and Cuban President Osvaldo Dorticós. A million persons gathered on the Plaza de Mayo to acclaim the new President.
One of Cámpora's first presidential actions was a granting of amnesty to political prisoners who where jailed during the dictatorship prior to his assumption.
On May 28 Argentina restored diplomatic relations with Cuba, which then received Argentine aid - such as food and industrial products - to break the United States embargo against Cuba.
During Cámpora's first months of government, approximatively 600 social conflicts, strikes and factory occupations had taken place.[1]
Cámpora's ideology set him against the right-wing tendencies of Peronism. When Perón returned to Argentina (June 20, 1973), his plane had to be redirected to a military airport because of fighting between armed Peronist factions that had massed to greet his arrival at Buenos Aires's main airport. This event, known as the Ezeiza Massacre, left 13 dead.
José Ber Gelbard, president of a small and medium-sized enterprise association, was designated as minister of economics. Gelbard tried to establish a "social pact" among the CGT workers and the "National Bourgeoisie", including a price freeze and widespread salary hikes.
Finally, on July 13, 1973 Cámpora resigned to allow Juan Perón to return to power. He was later designated as Argentine ambassador to México.
After the coup d'etat that displaced Perón's successor, wife Isabel Perón, in 1976, Cámpora sought refugee at the Mexican embassy in Buenos Aires. Three years later, he was allowed to fly to México. Cámpora died in Cuernavaca shortly after his arrival.
[edit] References
- ^ Hugo Moreno, Le désastre argentin. Péronisme, politique et violence sociale (1930-2001), Editions Syllepses, Paris, 2005, p.109 (French)
[edit] See also
- Peronism
- Montoneros (left-wing Peronists)
- Movimiento Nacionalista Tacuara (neofascists who supported Perón's return)
- June 1973 Ezeiza massacre
- History of Argentina
[edit] External links
- Enciclopedia Libre Universal en Español - Héctor José Cámpora. Original version in Spanish, released under GNU FDL.
| Preceded by Alejandro Lanusse |
President of Argentina 1973 |
Succeeded by Raúl Lastiri |
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