The economic consequences of this period were also significant. Argentina's economy was severely affected by the instability and violence, leading to increased poverty, inequality, and emigration. The country's democratic institutions were undermined, and it took many years for Argentina to transition back to democracy.

In the aftermath of the military dictatorship, Argentina embarked on a long and difficult process of coming to terms with its dark past. In 1983, the government established the National Commission on the Disappearance of Persons (CONADEP), which documented the disappearances and provided a platform for victims' families to share their testimonies.

The military junta did not act alone in its campaign of terror. Death squads and paramilitary groups, often composed of police officers, army personnel, and civilian vigilantes, were responsible for carrying out many of the atrocities. These groups, operating outside the law, targeted suspected subversives, torturing and killing them in a manner that was designed to intimidate and terrorize the wider population.

One of the most notorious death squads was the Argentine Anti-Communist Alliance (AAA), a paramilitary group linked to the government and the police. The AAA was responsible for numerous killings, bombings, and intimidation tactics, often using methods such as kidnapping, torture, and summary execution.

The "exxxterminio" – a term that roughly translates to "extermination" – was a deliberate and calculated policy aimed at eliminating perceived threats to the military regime. The targets of this campaign were primarily left-wing activists, communist sympathizers, student leaders, intellectuals, and anyone deemed to be a challenge to the junta's authority. Victims were arrested, tortured, and often disappeared, with many being killed and buried in secret mass graves.

The legacy of the "exxxterminio" serves as a warning to future generations about the importance of safeguarding democracy, protecting human rights, and ensuring that those responsible for atrocities are brought to justice. Only through a deep understanding of this painful history can Argentina build a more just and equitable society, one that values the lives and dignity of all its citizens.

In 1976, a military junta, led by General Jorge Videla, seized power in Argentina, overthrowing the democratically elected government of President Isabel Perón. The junta, which also included Generals Emilio Massera and Francisco Morano, claimed that its mission was to restore order and stability in a country plagued by economic crisis, social unrest, and left-wing terrorism. However, this rhetoric served as a thin veil for the brutal suppression of dissent and the implementation of a systematic campaign of terror.