“Ni vencedores ni vencidos.” This phrase echoes from the Revoluci\u00f3n de 1956 Plaque. It translates to “neither victors nor vanquished.” These words followed a coup. Here, we stand before a monument to a complex moment in Argentine history.
The Revoluci\u00f3n de 1956 Plaque commemorates the “Revoluci\u00f3n Libertadora”. This civic-military dictatorship overthrew President Juan Domingo Per\u00f3n in 1955. The coup began on September 16th. It shut down the National Congress. It removed Supreme Court members. Provincial authorities also lost their positions. University leaders were ousted too. The entire judiciary fell under commission.
After two years, the dictatorship organized elections. Power transferred to Arturo Frondizi in 1958. He led a constitutional government. However, another coup d’état overthrew him in 1962.
Juan Per\u00f3n was first elected in 1946. A constitutional amendment allowed presidential reelection in 1949. It also introduced workers’ rights. The legitimacy of this constitution remains controversial. Per\u00f3n won reelection in 1951. Labor unions supported him. The military and the Catholic Church did too.
Economic problems changed the situation. Some government policies also contributed. Per\u00f3n’s personality cult played a role. The opposition criticized his treatment of dissidents. Writers and artists faced harassment. Some went into exile.
The government’s relationship with the Catholic Church worsened. By 1954, the clergy openly opposed Per\u00f3n. This influenced factions within the military. A Christian Democratic Party formed in 1954.
By 1955, Per\u00f3n lost military support. They conspired with political actors. These included members of the Radical Civic Union and the Socialist Party. Conservative groups joined too. Turmoil spread across the country. Catholic bishops spoke against Per\u00f3n on June 14th. A Corpus Christi procession turned into an anti-government demonstration.
On June 16 1955, navy and air force aircraft bombed Plaza de Mayo. This is Buenos Aires’ main square. Over 300 civilians died. Hundreds more were wounded. It remains the largest aerial bombing on the Argentine mainland. The Casa Rosada was the target. A large crowd gathered to support Per\u00f3n.
Extremist Peronist groups retaliated. They attacked and burned churches that night. Vice-President Alberto Teisaire allegedly instigated this.
The General Confederation of Labour supported Per\u00f3n. It called workers to defend the president. Per\u00f3n addressed a workers’ demonstration on August 31.
A new uprising began on September 16. Generals Eduardo Lonardi and Pedro E. Aramburu led it. Admiral Isaac Rojas joined them. They deposed Per\u00f3n and established a provisional government. Fighting occurred in C\u00f3rdoba and other locations.
Per\u00f3n resigned to avoid bloodshed. He sought asylum in Paraguay.
Lonardi became president on September 23. He gave a conciliatory speech. He said there would be “neither victors nor vanquished”. Lonardi promised to reorganize the country. Hard-liners opposed his tone. An internal coup deposed him in November. General Aramburu became president. This gave rise to “anti-Peronism”.
The dictatorship accused Per\u00f3n and his followers of treason. Eva Per\u00f3n’s remains were kidnapped. They were secretly moved to Italy. She was buried under a fake identity. Public references to Per\u00f3n were forbidden.
The Peronist Party faced proscription until 1973. Per\u00f3n heavily influenced elections from exile.
The Revoluci\u00f3n de 1956 Plaque is in Plaza Hungr\u00eda. The Buenos Aires legislature installed it. It commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution. Roy Cortina and August\u00edn Forchieri attended the unveiling. \u00c9va Szab\u00f3 and Roy Cortina spoke at the event. Bishop Tam\u00e1s Fabinyi blessed the plaque. This plaque stands as a reminder of revolution. It speaks of political upheaval and change.