Omar Graffigna facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Omar Graffigna
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| Birth name | Omar Domingo Rubens Graffigna |
| Born | April 2, 1926 Clarke, Santa Fe Province |
| Died | December 9, 2019 (aged 93) Buenos Aires |
| Allegiance | Argentina |
| Service/ |
Argentine Air Force |
| Years of service | 1944–1981 |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Commands held | Chief of the General Staff (1979–81) |
Omar Domingo Rubens Graffigna (born April 2, 1926 – died December 9, 2019) was an important officer in the Argentine Air Force. He was part of the second military government that ruled Argentina during a time called the National Reorganization Process. This was a period when the country was controlled by the military.
Contents
Early Life and Military Career
Graffigna was born in a small town called Clarke, in the Santa Fe Province of Argentina. He studied at the School of Military Aviation to become an officer. After graduating, he rose through the ranks.
In March 1976, there was a big change in Argentina's government. After this, Omar Graffigna became the Chief of Staff of the Argentine Air Force. This meant he was in charge of leading the Air Force.
During his time as Chief of Staff, he started a project called the Cóndor missile program. This program worked on developing rockets. In 1978, one of these rockets, the Cóndor I, was changed into a type of missile.
Leading the Air Force
In January 1979, Graffigna took over as the Commander of the Air Force. He replaced General Orlando Agosti. As Commander, Graffigna tried to balance the different views within the military government. He often had more moderate ideas compared to the very strict views of the Navy.
Graffigna strongly supported the government's actions during a difficult period known as the Dirty War. He believed Argentina was playing an important role in the world.
Legal Challenges and Later Life
After the military government ended, many people involved faced legal challenges. In 1985, Graffigna was accused of serious actions during his time in power. These included kidnapping and other offenses during a major trial known as the Trial of the Juntas. However, he was found not guilty of these charges at that time.
Years later, in 2003, a judge ordered Graffigna's arrest again. This was because a Spanish judge wanted him to face charges related to human rights. At first, the Prime Minister of Spain decided not to send him to Spain. But later, the highest court in Spain said that the process for sending him should begin. Graffigna tried to stop this, but he was not successful.
Finally, in Argentina, on September 8, 2016, Graffigna was found responsible for serious actions. These actions involved the disappearance of a married couple, Patricia Roisinblit and José Manuel Pérez Rojo, in 1978. Patricia was pregnant at the time. Her baby was born while she was held captive and was later given to another family to raise. Patricia and José Manuel were never seen again. Graffigna was sentenced to 25 years in prison for his part in these events. He passed away in 2019.
See also
In Spanish: Omar Graffigna para niños
