President of Argentina. He was an Argentine military officer who briefly served as president of Argentina from March 29 to December 11, 1981, ruling as a military dictator. Born to Italian immigrates, he graduated from the Military Academy in 1944 before his military career. While a colonel, Viola served as an Argentine representative to the Inter-American Defense Board in Washington, D.C from 1967 to 1968. During a very unstable time in Argentina, he came to power after the fall of Jorge Rafael Videla. After nine months, Viola soon realized he had little control of the government, and was ousted by a military coup in December of 1981, led by the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Lieutenant General Leopoldo Galtieri, who soon became President. After the collapse of the military regime and the election of Raul Alfonsin in 1983, Viola was arrested, judged for human rights violations committed by the military junta during the harsh military regime of the Dirty War and sentenced to 17 years in prison. Between 10,000 and 30,000 citizens were killed during the Dirty War. His health greatly deteriorated in prison. Viola was pardoned in 1990 together with all junta members. He married and had two children.
President of Argentina. He was an Argentine military officer who briefly served as president of Argentina from March 29 to December 11, 1981, ruling as a military dictator. Born to Italian immigrates, he graduated from the Military Academy in 1944 before his military career. While a colonel, Viola served as an Argentine representative to the Inter-American Defense Board in Washington, D.C from 1967 to 1968. During a very unstable time in Argentina, he came to power after the fall of Jorge Rafael Videla. After nine months, Viola soon realized he had little control of the government, and was ousted by a military coup in December of 1981, led by the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Lieutenant General Leopoldo Galtieri, who soon became President. After the collapse of the military regime and the election of Raul Alfonsin in 1983, Viola was arrested, judged for human rights violations committed by the military junta during the harsh military regime of the Dirty War and sentenced to 17 years in prison. Between 10,000 and 30,000 citizens were killed during the Dirty War. His health greatly deteriorated in prison. Viola was pardoned in 1990 together with all junta members. He married and had two children.
Bio by: Linda Davis
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