Emilio Eduardo Massera: The Admiral of Argentina's Military Junta
Emilio Eduardo Massera was a high-ranking Argentine Naval officer who became one of the most controversial figures in 20th-century Latin American history. As a primary architect of the 1976 coup d'état, Massera helped establish a military dictatorship that fundamentally altered the course of Argentina's political and social landscape.
Massera is most remembered for his role in the Dirty War, a period of state-sponsored terrorism directed at political opponents. Many historians and legal bodies identify him as the mastermind behind this campaign, which resulted in more than 30,000 deaths and disappearances.
Key Facts
- Role: Member of the Military Junta that ruled Argentina from 1976 to 1983.
- Military Rank: Admiral of the Argentine Navy.
- Key Association: Member of the clandestine P2 (Propaganda Due) Masonic lodge.
- Legal History: Sentenced to life imprisonment for human rights violations, later pardoned and re-imprisoned.
- Legacy: Linked to the disappearance of thousands and the suppression of minors' identities.
Early Life and Rise Through the Navy
Born on October 19, 1925, in Paraná, Entre Ríos, Emilio Massera was the grandson of Swiss immigrants. His military trajectory began in 1942 when he entered the Naval Military School, earning his commission as a midshipman in 1946.
Throughout the 1950s and 60s, Massera climbed the ranks of the Argentine Navy. In June 1955, while serving as a Frigate Captain, he was potentially involved in the bombing of Plaza de Mayo. Following the Revolución Libertadora (Liberating Revolution) of 1955, he joined the Naval Information Service.
His ascent continued with commands of the sail training ship ARA Libertad and the Sea Fleet in 1973. By December 6, 1973, President Juan Perón appointed him General Commander of the Argentine Navy. He reached the rank of full Admiral on August 23, 1974, under the administration of President María Estela Martínez de Perón.
The Military Junta and the National Reorganization Process
On March 24, 1976, Admiral Massera, alongside Jorge Rafael Videla and Orlando Ramón Agosti, led a coup d'état that deposed President Isabel Perón. This established a military junta that ruled Argentina de facto under a program known as the National Reorganization Process.
During this era, the junta implemented a brutal crackdown on perceived subversives. Massera's influence was central to the operations of the Dirty War. He remained a member of the junta until September 1978, when he stepped down from both the junta and his position as Commander-in-Chief of the Navy.
Clandestine Ties and Propaganda Due
Beyond his domestic military role, Massera was involved in international clandestine networks. In 1981, it was revealed that he was a member of Propaganda Due (P2), a secret Masonic lodge based in Italy. P2 was known for its involvement in Italy's "strategy of tension," a series of covert operations designed to manipulate political stability.
Massera maintained a close relationship with Licio Gelli, the head of P2, even promoting Gelli as an economic advisor to Argentina. Massera later defended this connection, claiming Gelli assisted the junta in managing Argentina's international image and fighting subversion.
Trial, Imprisonment, and Final Years
With the return of democracy in 1983, Massera faced justice for human rights violations. He was stripped of his military rank and sentenced to life imprisonment. However, this sentence was interrupted on December 29, 1990, when President Carlos Menem granted him a pardon.
His freedom was short-lived. On November 24, 1998, he was re-imprisoned to face investigations into kidnapping, the theft and suppression of the identities of minors, torture, and the execution of prisoners in illegal detention centers.
In 2004, Massera suffered a cerebrovascular accident caused by a burst aneurysm. By March 17, 2005, he was declared legally irresponsible due to insanity, leading to the suspension of the legal cases against him.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Lifespan | October 19, 1925 – November 8, 2010 |
| Highest Rank | Admiral (Argentine Navy) |
| Key Political Role | Member of the 1976 Military Junta |
| Major Allegations | Dirty War masterminding, kidnapping, and torture |
| Secret Affiliations | Propaganda Due (P2) Lodge |
Massera died on November 8, 2010, from a hemorrhagic stroke at the Hospital Naval of Buenos Aires. To avoid escraches (public protests/shaming), his funeral was held in secret, attended by only ten people and devoid of government or military representation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Emilio Massera's role in the 1976 coup?
Massera was one of the three leaders of the military junta, alongside Jorge Rafael Videla and Orlando Ramón Agosti, who overthrew President Isabel Perón to establish a de facto military government.
What was the "Dirty War" associated with Massera?
The Dirty War was a campaign of state terrorism against political opponents during the military dictatorship, resulting in over 30,000 deaths and disappearances.
What was the P2 lodge and why was Massera involved?
Propaganda Due (P2) was a clandestine Masonic lodge in Italy. Massera used his membership and his relationship with its leader, Licio Gelli, to manage Argentina's image abroad and seek economic advice.
Why were the legal cases against Massera suspended in 2005?
Following a severe stroke caused by a burst aneurysm in 2004, Massera was declared legally irresponsible due to insanity on March 17, 2005.
How did the public react to Massera's death?
Due to the hatred and resentment surrounding his crimes, his funeral was conducted in total secrecy with only ten attendees to prevent public protests known as escraches.