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¡Las Malvinas Son Argentinas!
The Falkland Islands are a group of islands owned by the United Kingdom just off the shore of Argentina in the southern Atlantic Ocean. The UK has owned these for many years even though the islands are thousands of miles away. Argentina, on the other hand, feels like the islands should be Argentine. If you ever talk to an Argentine about it, don't call the islands the Falkland Islands. Argentines not only don't call them that, but don't appreciate being reminded that the islands are usually referred to by the name the UK uses. Instead, ask him or her about las islas Malvinas [lahs ees-lahs mahl-veen-ahs], or the "Malvinas Islands." Look at this map to see how Argentina claims the islands. They are located to the southeast of Argentina (bottom right in the map). Also, check out this road sign on a highway in Argentina. This phrase translates to "The Malvinas are Argentine."
During the reign of the military regime (see above), support was dwindling and there were problems with the economy. The military leaders needed something to increase support and raise national morale. They decided to attack the Malvinas and take them for Argentina in 1982. The attack went very well initially and all were excited. The leaders expected the UK to just let the islands go since they were so far away. Yet Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister of the UK, refused to let the UK's property be taken and also needed a boost in national morale for her administration. The UK came all the way down and sent the Argentines home. It was a disaster for the military dictatorship, who gave up power the year later because of this and other failures. It was also a disaster for Argentina, who lost hundreds of young men to a war they could not win. This monument remembers the fallen soldiers.
Though Argentina hated the dictatorship, it enjoyed the idea of having the Malvinas. Today there is renewed talk about getting the Malvinas for Argentina, as recently reported by cnn.com. No one really knows what will happen, but the war and the debate over who owns them represent an important part of Argentina's culture. They love their country and very proud (and often stubborn) about what they feel is theirs. It will be interesting to see if the UK ever gives in and gives the islands back to (at least according to Argentines) the rightful owner.
During the reign of the military regime (see above), support was dwindling and there were problems with the economy. The military leaders needed something to increase support and raise national morale. They decided to attack the Malvinas and take them for Argentina in 1982. The attack went very well initially and all were excited. The leaders expected the UK to just let the islands go since they were so far away. Yet Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister of the UK, refused to let the UK's property be taken and also needed a boost in national morale for her administration. The UK came all the way down and sent the Argentines home. It was a disaster for the military dictatorship, who gave up power the year later because of this and other failures. It was also a disaster for Argentina, who lost hundreds of young men to a war they could not win. This monument remembers the fallen soldiers.
Though Argentina hated the dictatorship, it enjoyed the idea of having the Malvinas. Today there is renewed talk about getting the Malvinas for Argentina, as recently reported by cnn.com. No one really knows what will happen, but the war and the debate over who owns them represent an important part of Argentina's culture. They love their country and very proud (and often stubborn) about what they feel is theirs. It will be interesting to see if the UK ever gives in and gives the islands back to (at least according to Argentines) the rightful owner.
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