José López Rega was an Argentine politician, police officer, and writer, famed for his influence over Juan Domingo Perón and his wife, Isabel. Nicknamed “El Brujo” (The Warlock) by his opponents due to his esoteric practices, he served as Minister of Social Welfare during the administrations of Héctor J. Cámpora, Raúl Alberto Lastiri, Perón, and Isabel. His tenure ended with him nearly fleeing the country amidst an unprecedented economic crisis.
“Lopecito,” as he was also known, shared the Madrid exile with Perón and his wife. His influence grew rapidly from 1973, following Perón’s return to Argentina, and especially after the general’s death in 1974. He became almost a prime minister due to his sway over Isabel.
From his government position, López Rega established a paramilitary force known as the Argentine Anticommunist Alliance, or Triple A. This organization committed its first attack on November 21, 1973, injuring Radical Party Senator Hipólito Solari Yrigoyen. Chief of the Federal Police Rodolfo Eduardo Almirón is believed to have directed the operation.
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The National Commission on the Disappearance of Persons, formed in late 1983 with the return of democracy, attributed nearly a thousand murders to the Triple A. These paramilitary squads employed forced disappearances as a method of repression.
After Perón’s death on July 1, 1974, Isabel Perón assumed the presidency and granted López Rega an almost prime ministerial position, entrusting him with the management of all secretariats within the Presidency.
His downfall was precipitated by the economic plan promoted by his appointed Minister of Economy, Celestino Rodrigo. The notorious “Rodrigazo” included a massive devaluation.
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Public and labor union reactions were strong, leading López Rega to resign on July 11, 1975, under the pretext of becoming an itinerant ambassador in Spain, where he eventually took refuge in a villa in Jerez de la Frontera. López Rega left the country on July 20.
Once the dictatorship overthrew Isabel Perón, they requested López Rega’s extradition. He fled to Switzerland, where he was discovered by a photographer in 1982 and faced charges of document forgery and illegal residence. Initially acquitted, an appeal in 1983 overturned the decision, prompting him to escape again, this time to the Bahamas, where he alternated his stay with Miami.
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When democracy was restored, Raúl Alfonsín initiated trials for crimes committed during the State Terrorism era by both military and civilians. The Argentine government began searching for López Rega. On February 27, 1986, Miami judge Samuel Smargon issued an arrest warrant after Argentina requested his extradition on charges of fraud, conspiracy, embezzlement, forgery, and theft.
Finally, on March 13, the FBI arrested him at Miami International Airport returning from the Bahamas. Knowing he was sought, López Rega surrendered.
He was detained in the U.S. for weeks until his extradition to Argentina was approved, where he faced charges of illicit association, kidnapping, and homicide.
López Rega died at the age of 72 on June 9, 1989, while awaiting his sentence.
Source: Radio Perfil
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