Argentina launches invasion on Falkland Islands on April 2, 1982
The Squabble Over the Falklands Islands
The Falkland Islands, first settled by the French in 1764, saw a succession of British rule and political clashes. Initially claimed by King George III in 1771, the islands were briefly vacated by the British in 1774, only to return to their dominion in 1833, much to Argentina's dismay, who had laid their own claim.
However, Argentina's garrison was ousted, and the islands have remained under British rule ever since. That might have been the end of the story, but for the 74 days of turmoil in 1982.
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In the 1980s, the Argentinian political landscape was fraught with instability. The 1976 coup had placed a military junta in power, but by the early 80s, it was on shaky ground, dealing with an ailing economy, rampant inflation, and secret government death squads getting rid of political opponents[1].
To turn the public focus away from these troubles, General Leopoldo Galtieri decided to fuel some nationalistic pride by reclaiming the "Malvinas" for the motherland.
So on April 2, 1982, 3,000 Argentinian troops set foot on the islands, promptly dismissing the hundred or so British soldiers stationed there and hoisting the Argentinian flag above Government House. However, Argentina significantly misunderstood Britain's resolve.
As her popularity dwindled, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher vowed to fight tooth and nail for the islands. A naval task force was mobilized swiftly, with the Vulcan bombers storming from Ascension Island, a mountainous island 4,000 miles away, attempting to disable the Port Stanley airport[2]. The nimble Harrier jump jets played a pivotal role in the conflict, while foreign correspondents carved their reputations through this ordeal.
The conflict, spanning just ten weeks, ended on June 14, 1982, with Britain successfully reclaiming the Falklands[1]. The casualty count was staggering, with over 900 lives claimed[3].
Today, the sovereignty dispute over the Falklands remains unresolved[4]. Diplomatic ties between the UK and Argentina were restored in 1990, but the tension persists.
War-and-conflicts, politics, and general-news are intertwined in the Falklands Islands saga, as seen in the 1982 war that erupted when Argentina, dealing with domestic instability, attempted to reclaim the islands, leading to a ten-week conflict and a substantial loss of lives. This event became a significant part of the general-news landscape, with foreign correspondents reporting on the conflict's unfolding events and its implications.
