Ongania, Juan Carlos

▪ 1996

      Argentine general and politician (b. March 17, 1914, Buenos Aires, Arg.—d. June 8, 1995, Buenos Aires), served (1966-70) as president of Argentina during a period of harsh repression and authorized (1966) riot police to storm the University of Buenos Aires and forcibly eject students and professors in what became known as the Night of the Long Truncheons. Onganía, who graduated from the National Military College as a second lieutenant in 1934, rose quickly through the ranks. He was promoted to brigadier general in 1959 and briefly served as commander of the Cavalry Corps before leading a revolt against an opposing army faction and becoming (1962) army commander in chief. He helped quell a coup meant to oust Pres. Arturo Illía, a liberal democrat, but he later became disillusioned—like many others who wearied of the ineffectiveness of a democratic government in the face of resurgent Peronism and economic troubles—and resigned his commission to take power himself. Following Onganía's installation by the military, he tried to bolster the economic sector and instituted such authoritarian measures as dismantling Congress and all political parties, assuming full legislative and executive power, and depriving universities of their autonomy. This last action led to violent clashes between students and police, which escalated in 1969 and eventually led to Onganía's own ouster in 1970, when a three-man ruling military junta unseated him. He then retired. In February 1995 Onganía was placed under house arrest for two weeks after he charged the government with corruption.

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