Jorge Rafael Videla (2 August 1925 – 17 May 2013) was a senior commander in the Argentine Army who was the de facto President of Argentina from 1976 to 1981.
Early life
Videla was born on 2 August 1925 in Mercedes, Buenos Aires, Argentina. He studied at the National Military College (Colegio Militar de la Nación). Videla married Alicia Raquel Hartridge in 1948.
Presidency
Videla came to power in a coup d'état that deposed Isabel Martínez de Perón. After the return of a representative democratic government in 1983, he was prosecuted for large-scale human rights abuses and crimes against humanity that took place under his rule. These included: Kidnappings "Disappearances" (where people would disappear and never come back; these people were murdered and their bodies were never found) Torturing and murdering many people without a trial at secret concentration camps. These people included activists; people who Videla thought might take power from him; and their families Stealing many babies who were born while their mothers were imprisoned in concentration camps
Personal life
Videla remained married to his wife Alicia until his death in 2013. They had seven children.
Arrest
He was under house arrest until 10 October 2008, when he was sent to a military prison. On 22 December 2010, Videla was sentenced to life in a non-military prison for the deaths of 31 prisoners after his coup d'état. On 5 July 2012, Videla was sentenced to 50 years in prison for the systematic kidnapping of children during his tenure.
Death
Videla died in his sleep on 17 May 2013, at the Marcos Paz Prison in Buenos Aires. He died from complications after falling in the shower. He was 87.
References
Other websites
Ex-Argentine Dictator Sentenced to Life in Prison – video report by Democracy Now! Former Dictator of Argentina Found Guilty Of Crimes Against Humanity