In 1982 a ceasefire was agreed between Argentina and the United Kingdom ending the fighting of the Falklands War.
Following an invasion of South Georgia by a group of 50 Argentineans on the 19th of March which is an Island dependency of the Falkland Islands. At first the United Kingdom was unsure of the group’s intentions but on the 2nd of April 1982 Argentinean forces invaded the Mainland. In response the United Kingdom sent a naval fleet to the Falklands and when the first Warships arrived on the 22nd of April, fighting broke out between the two nations.
The Falkland Islands were claimed by Britain before Argentina existed as a country but they have disputed their claim to the islands on several occasions meeting with British opposition (the first instance was on the 1st of January 1883 where Argentinean forces were removed and Britain’s sovereignty restored). Argentina had been under military rule since the 24th of March 1976, with General Leopoldo Galtieri leading the country. Civil unrest grew in Argentina due to the oppressive rule and bad economic management. General Galtieri believed taking the long sought after Falkland Islands would make the people forgive him and see him as a hero. So he began building up his fleet of ships in the area ready for the invasion.
After many successful encounters with Argentine Forces the UK land forces commander, Major-General Jeremy Moore ordered his troops to continue the capital. Late in the evening on the 13th of June the Argentine forces began to throw down their arms and wave white flags. Taken as their surrender, UK forces were ordered not to use their weapons except in self defence. Although fighting ceased on the Island it would not be until the 20th of June 1982 that the conflict officially ceased. The conflict cost a total of 800 lives (655 Argentinean and 255 UK troops) and lasted 74 days.
Margaret Thatcher was hailed as a hero in the UK while General Galtieri was arrested and imprisoned for military incompetence for three years. The Argentinean Government returned to civilian control shortly after but Argentina still lay claim to the islands they call Las Malvinas. In 2002 General Galtieri was arrested for the abduction, torture and murder of various political opponents of the oppressive regime but he died before the case came to trial.
