Who led Argentina during the Falkland Islands War?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Map showing the Falkland Islands War of 1982, with the left inset displaying southern South America, highlighting Argentina, the Falkland Islands, Argentine air force and naval bases, and the British 200-mile war zone. The main map details West and East Falkland, marking Argentine troop concentrations, areas of conflict, and the path of the British advance toward Stanley, along with key settlements and landing sites. — Falkland Islands War The Falkland Islands War zone (left) and route of British landing forces (right).

During the Falkland Islands War in 1982, Argentina was led by a military junta headed by Lieutenant General Leopoldo Galtieri.

Galtieri, who had become president in December 1981, orchestrated the invasion of the islands as a political maneuver to bolster his government's domestic standing amidst economic instability and criticism regarding human rights abuses. Following the Argentine military's surrender on June 14, 1982, Galtieri resigned from his positions as president and commander in chief of the army.123