Leopoldo Galtieri

On December 22, 1981, Leopoldo Galtieri was appointed President of Argentina by the military junta, replacing Roberto Viola. Galtieri was a hardline general who sought to consolidate power and address economic problems through nationalist policies.

On April 2, 1982, Galtieri ordered the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands, a British Overseas Territory. The military junta aimed to rally nationalist support and distract from economic crisis. The invasion led to a 10-week war with the United Kingdom.

On June 14, 1982, Argentine forces surrendered to the British in the Falkland Islands after a decisive defeat. The war resulted in 649 Argentine deaths and the loss of the islands. Galtieri's gamble failed, leading to his downfall.

On June 17, 1982, Leopoldo Galtieri resigned as President of Argentina following the military defeat in the Falklands War. His resignation marked the beginning of the end of the military dictatorship, as public outrage and internal dissent grew.

In 1986, Leopoldo Galtieri was convicted by Argentine courts for human rights abuses committed during the Dirty War, including torture and forced disappearances. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison, but was later pardoned in 1989.