Somebody explain to me why MAGA now means Make Argentina Great Again? Why is trump so obsessed with saving them? I can only assume 2 things:
1. Argentina is a great place for fascist dictators to flee to
2. It's all part of a much larger grift
It's where the Nazis elite fled after WWII
AI Overview
Argentina became a refuge for thousands of Nazis after World War II, including high-profile figures like Adolf Eichmann and Josef Mengele, due to factors like a pre-existing pro-Nazi sympathizer community, support from the government under Juan Perón, and a desire by some to evade Allied prosecution. Many Nazi war criminals used ratlines, or escape routes, to travel to South America, sometimes aided by networks and false documents provided by organizations like the Red Cross or sympathizers within the Catholic Church. Recent actions, such as the declassification of government archives, are shedding new light on this history and how they evaded justice.
Why Argentina became a refuge
Government support: President Juan Perón's regime actively assisted Nazis in finding refuge, seeing them as potential allies and a way to gain skilled immigrants. They provided travel documents, financial aid, and facilitated their passage.
Pre-war pro-Nazi sentiment: Argentina had a large, organized pro-Nazi element before the war, which helped create a welcoming environment for fugitives.
Strategic and ideological reasons: Some saw the Nazis as valuable assets who could bring expertise and were anti-communist, aligning with Argentina's own political leanings at the time.
Ratlines and escape networks: "Ratlines" were clandestine escape routes from Europe to South America. Networks of former SS members, sympathizers, and even figures like Bishop Alois Hudal helped high-profile Nazis evade capture.
Key figures and examples
Adolf Eichmann: A key organizer of the Holocaust, he lived under the alias Ricardo Klement in a Buenos Aires suburb until he was captured by Israeli agents in 1960.
Josef Mengele: The notorious SS doctor from Auschwitz, who was also known as "Doctor Death," hid in Argentina before fleeing to Paraguay and eventually Brazil.
Erich Priebke: An SS officer who also lived in Argentina, he was eventually apprehended and returned to Germany.
Towns like Bariloche: The town of Bariloche became known as a haven for Nazi war criminals, some of whom lived there comfortably for decades.
Historical context and recent developments
Government response: Argentina has taken steps to address its past. In 1997, a commission was created to investigate Nazi activities in the country, and in recent years, the government has begun declassifying archives related to these events.
Ongoing investigations: The search for and prosecution of Nazis continued for many decades, highlighting the long-lasting impact of the "ratlines" and the challenge of bringing all war criminals to justice.
