Roberto Eduardo Viola facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Roberto Eduardo Viola
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Roberto Eduardo Viola in 1981
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| President of Argentina | |
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De facto
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| In office 29 March 1981 – 11 December 1981 |
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| Appointed by | Military junta |
| Vice President | None |
| Preceded by | Jorge Rafael Videla |
| Succeeded by | Carlos Alberto Lacoste (interim) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 13 October 1924 Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Died | 30 September 1994 (aged 69) Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Political party | None |
| Spouse | Nélida Giorgio Valente |
| Children | 2 |
| Profession | Military |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Argentina |
| Branch/service |  Argentine Army |
| Rank |  (Pre-1991 epaulette) Lieutenant General |
Roberto Eduardo Viola (born October 13, 1924 – died September 30, 1994) was an Argentine military officer. He was the president of Argentina for a short time, from March 29 to December 11, 1981. During this period, Argentina was ruled by a military government.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Roberto Eduardo Viola was born on October 13, 1924. His parents, Angelo Viola and Rosa Maria Prevedini, were immigrants from Italy. They came from a town called Casatisma in the Province of Pavia.
Becoming President of Argentina
After Jorge Videla left office, Roberto Viola officially became the President of Argentina. He took over during a time when the military was in charge of the country.
Changes in the Economy
When Viola became president, he chose Lorenzo Sigaut to be his finance minister. They wanted to change some of the economic plans that the previous government had put in place.
One big change was how the value of the Argentine peso (Argentina's money) was handled. Sigaut stopped the old system and made the peso worth less compared to other currencies. He famously said that "they who gamble on the dollar, will lose." People in Argentina knew that the country was heading for a difficult economic time.
Argentina's Relationships with Other Countries
Argentina's relationship with the United States got much better when Ronald Reagan became president. The Reagan government believed that the previous US president had made relationships with allies like Argentina weaker. They also changed the US stance on human rights issues in Argentina.
Because of these improved ties, the CIA (a US intelligence agency) worked with Argentina's intelligence service. They helped to arm and train a group called the Contras in Nicaragua. Argentina also sent advisors and provided training to help forces in other countries like Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. This was part of a program supported by the US.
How Viola Left Office
Roberto Viola's time as president was short. He faced many challenges and disagreements within the military government. In December 1981, he was removed from power by a military coup. This coup was led by Lieutenant General Leopoldo Galtieri, who then became the new president. The official reason given for Viola's removal was his health problems. Galtieri quickly appointed a new finance minister and prepared for the Falklands War.
What Happened After
After the military government ended and Raúl Alfonsín was elected president in 1983, Roberto Viola was arrested. He was put on trial for actions that happened during the military rule. He was sentenced to 17 years in prison.
However, his health got worse while he was in prison. In 1990, he was pardoned by President Carlos Menem, along with other members of the military government. Roberto Viola passed away on September 30, 1994, just before his 70th birthday.
See also
- National Reorganization Process
- In Spanish: Roberto Eduardo Viola para niños
