Bolivia during the Falklands War facts for kids
Bolivia played a part in the Falklands War, which happened in 1982. This war was between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands. Bolivia was actually the first country in the Americas to protest when the British took over the islands way back in 1833.
Contents
Bolivia's History with the Falklands
Early Protests in the 1800s
Bolivia's connection to the Falkland Islands goes back to 1833. That's when the British took control of the islands. At that time, Andrés de Santa Cruz was the President of Bolivia. He ruled Bolivia for ten years, from 1829 to 1839.
When President Santa Cruz heard about the British takeover, he sent a strong letter. This letter was sent to King William IV of the United Kingdom. In it, Santa Cruz said that Bolivia only recognized Argentina's claim to the Falkland Islands. He also sent copies to the British Prime Minister and to Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The Falklands War in the 1900s
Bolivia's Government During the War
The Falklands War started on April 2, 1982. At that time, Bolivia was led by a military dictatorship. The leader was Army General Celso Torrelio Villa.
Some Bolivian soldiers wanted to help Argentina. For example, General Natalio Morales Mosquera was the head of the Bolivian Air Force. He told the news that Bolivia was ready to help.
"Bolivia will put fighter planes to the border in support of Argentina. It will also make available the fleet of Military Air Transport (TAM) aircraft as well as the airport infrastructure and, if necessary, refueling for Argentine aircraft. Just as Peru is already cooperating militarily, we have also decided to do so. Our support is not only moral but will also be material”
British Warnings to Bolivia
The British Embassy in Bolivia heard what the Bolivian Air Force commander said. They publicly asked President Celso Torrelio Villa to confirm Bolivia's plans.
Soon after, news spread that Britain had secretly warned Bolivia. They threatened to place harsh economic penalties on Bolivia. These penalties would especially affect Bolivia's mining industry. At that time, mining was the main part of Bolivia's economy. This warning was given if Bolivia decided to join the war to help Argentina.
To avoid these economic problems, Bolivia's Foreign Minister, Gonzalo Romero Álvarez García, gave advice. He told the president not to join the war. Instead, he suggested that Bolivia stay neutral. This meant not taking sides with either Argentina or the United Kingdom.
"The problems between Argentina and Great Britain must be resolved through diplomatic channels, also clarifying that at no time has the Bolivian government contemplated carrying out military-type actions”
—Foreign Minister of Bolivia Gonzalo Romero Álvarez García (La Paz, Bolivia, April 15, 1982)
Bolivian People and the War
Even though the Bolivian government stayed neutral, many Bolivian people felt differently. On May 26, 1982, an announcement was made. The governor of Salta Province in Argentina, Roberto Augusto Ulloa, spoke with Bolivian groups.
They announced that about 25,000 Bolivian citizens wanted to volunteer. They were ready to go to the war zone. They offered to help defend the Falkland Islands against the British.
Also, some young Bolivian people were doing their required military service in Argentina. They were sent to the battlefront by military leaders. We don't know the exact number of Bolivians who fought. However, it is confirmed that Bolivians were present in the war.
Peruvian Planes Fly Through Bolivia
By June 1982, Argentina was running out of warplanes. So, Peru decided to help Argentina militarily. Peru secretly sent about 10 French-made Dassault Mirage III fighter planes. These planes belonged to the Peruvian Air Force.
Bolivia did not send weapons to Argentina because it was neutral. But Bolivia did help in another way. The Bolivian government allowed Peruvian planes to fly through its airspace. This helped the planes reach Argentina safely. They could avoid being seen by Chilean radars.
The Peruvian planes started from a base in Arequipa, Peru. They flew over Bolivia and stopped in Jujuy, Argentina. Their final stop was Tandil, Argentina. This route was important because Chile was helping the United Kingdom. Chile was sharing information about Argentine military movements.
 | Selma Burke |
 | Pauline Powell Burns |
 | Frederick J. Brown |
 | Robert Blackburn |
