How did Argentina start a war with Britain?
In the early 1980s, Leopoldo Galtieri became the leader of the junta. He was a true Latin American general—tall, loud, and a heavy drinker. Galtieri is a man of emotions; he has no idea how to plan. His best friend and ally, Admiral Anaya, is responsible for state strategy. It was Anaya who came up with the idea of saving the junta's position. He convinced his friend: to reassure the people, we need to show them some kind of success. Argentina recently held the World Cup for just such a purpose. But now Anaya is proposing something else: a small, victorious war.
And besides, there's a simpler goal right around the corner. Very soon, says Admiral Anaya, it will be 150 years since British pirates stole Las Malvinas from us. And if only we can get the islands back, the whole nation will be happy. Not because this land has any great value. Not because Argentines once lived there. Simply because it's a symbol.
The Falklands War was called "senseless." Hundreds of victims for the sake of tiny islands at the end of the world. The islands were, in fact, of no use to either Argentina or Great Britain. They were a speck of land in the middle of the ocean, devoid of minerals or even trees. But at some point, these islands became a symbol for both countries. Both Argentina and Great Britain were going through a very difficult time. Their future looked bleak. And for each side, these islands became a symbol: some wanted to take them over, others wanted to protect them.
Ultimately, the Falklands War changed the fate of both countries. And the two leaders who fought for these islands: Margaret Thatcher and Leopoldo Galtieri. Only, things didn't turn out quite as they were originally intended.