Argentina, 1988 — military coup attempt

Event Summary

In early December 1988 a second major Carapintada uprising broke out in Argentina against the democratic government of President Raul Alfonsin, this time led by Colonel Mohamed Ali Seineldin, continuing the series of rebellions by nationalist army officers demanding an end to the prosecution of military personnel for crimes of the 1976 to 1983 dictatorship and better treatment for the armed forces. The revolt, centered on the Villa Martelli military base near Buenos Aires and following an earlier January 1988 rising by Aldo Rico at Monte Caseros, saw Seineldin and around a thousand rebel troops defy the government. As with the earlier Carapintada revolts, loyal commanders were reluctant to crush the mutineers by force, and the crisis was resolved through negotiation, with the rebels surrendering after some of their demands, including changes in the army leadership, were effectively met.

Several people died in clashes with civilians who came out to oppose the rebels. The recurring uprisings deeply strained Argentina's young democracy and pushed the government toward further concessions on the human rights trials, though the constitutional order survived and Seineldin was imprisoned.