Jorge Rafael Videla

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Jorge Rafael Videla

Role / Field:

Argentine general and dictator who presided over the 'National Reorganization Process' (1976-1981).

Born:

1925-08-02

Died:

2013-05-17

Century / Era:

1925s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Foundations

General Jorge Rafael Videla ( vid-EL-ə; Spanish: [ˈxoɾxe rafaˈel βiˈðela]; 2 August 1925 – 17 May 2013) was an Argentine general, politician and dictator who served as the president of Argentina from 1976 to 1981 during the National Reorganization Process. He came to power in a March 1976 coup d'état that deposed Isabel Perón. His rule, which occurred during the Dirty War (1974–1983), was among the most infamous in Latin America during the Cold War due to widespread human rights abuses including murder, abduction, torture of activists and political opponents along with their families at secret concentration camps. In addition, the children of female prisoners were systematically kidnapped.

Key Developments & Impact

An estimated 13,000 to 30,000 political dissidents were killed or disappeared during this period. Videla relinquished power to Roberto Viola in March 1981. In 1985, two years after the return of a representative democratic government, he was prosecuted in the Trial of the Juntas and convicted for large-scale human rights abuses and crimes against humanity during his rule. He was released in 1990, following a pardon from President Carlos Menem. Videla was arrested again in 1998 after he was found guilty...

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1925 (1925-08-02): Birth of Jorge Rafael Videla — Argentine general and dictator who presided over the 'National Reorganization Process' (1976-1981).
2. 1974: 1974 Milestone — His rule, which occurred during the Dirty War (1974–1983), was among the most infamous in Latin America during the Cold War due to widespread human rights abuses including murder, abduction, torture of activists and political opponents along with their families at secret concentration camps.
3. 1976: 1976 Milestone — He came to power in a March 1976 coup d'état that deposed Isabel Perón.
4. 1981: 1981 Milestone — Videla relinquished power to Roberto Viola in March 1981.
5. 1985: 1985 Milestone — In 1985, two years after the return of a representative democratic government, he was prosecuted in the Trial of the Juntas and convicted for large-scale human rights abuses and crimes against humanity during his rule.
6. 1990: 1990 Milestone — He was released in 1990, following a pardon from President Carlos Menem.
7. 1998: 1998 Milestone — Videla was arrested again in 1998 after he was found guilty...
8. 2013 (2013-05-17): Passing & Historical Legacy — Jorge Rafael Videla passed away on 2013-05-17, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Jorge Rafael Videla

True or False: “Did Jorge Rafael Videla's presidency coincide with the period known as the 'Dirty War' in Argentina?”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): Yes, his rule from 1976 to 1981 occurred directly within the timeframe of the Dirty War (1974–1983).

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Frequently Asked Questions about Jorge Rafael Videla