The Ratlines was the name given to the underground network that linked Europe via the Vatican to a host of countries, many of them within Latin America, supplying escape routes, safe houses and new identities in new countries of residence for many Nazis following the defeat of Germany by the Allies in World War ii.
Argentina figured prominently as a haven for Nazi exiles during this period. Many settled into their local Argentine communities and became “respectable” businessmen, farmers and industrialists. They spawned a second generation that melded with the local population, many becoming ostensibly loyal, well-heeled citizens of this most vibrant of economies in South America.
Then in 2001, something happened in Argentina that was destined to bring one prominent family of an old Nazi Party member to the fore.
In December of that year, Argentina experienced a run on its banks. Facing huge losses of their hard-earned savings, the population in the nation’s capital of Buenos Aires began looting stores throughout the city in a great wave of anger, a huge outcry against the economic policies of the Argentine government of then-President Fernando de la Rua. The upshot was that the entire cabinet resigned. Argentina was in crisis. The crisis continued during the following short presidencies of presidents Puerta, Saa, Camano, Alfonsin and Menem, all following on the heels of each other in quick succession.
Then a politician of different hue suddenly arose on the scene, the son of a Nazi exile, Nestor Kirchner. At this point, things become interesting. Kirchner was elected as president of Argentina in May, unopposed by the former President Carlos Menem, who simply withdrew from the race.
It has been said by some observers of German character that the Germans crave order and are attracted to the idea of creating order out of confusion. Witness the wonder of the so-called German miracle of rapid reconstruction and recovery following World War ii. Further witness the German intolerance of the chaos that they deliberately created in the Balkans and their rapid reaction in demanding the imposition of their own solution. Based on the evidence of such history, Kirchner could be just what the doctor ordered for solving Argentina’s woes.
It is significant that Kirchner wasted no time in stacking the government’s deck with his German relatives. A Peronist by political persuasion, he comes into the nation’s chief office riding on the back of 12 years’ successful administration of Argentina’s oil-rich southern province of Santa Cruz. He has strong links with Europe, having secured Santa Cruz finances from the effects of Argentina’s economic woes by squirreling them away in accounts within Switzerland and Luxembourg.
Watch for Argentina’s current leader to forge even stronger links with the EU in trade, commerce and banking in a bid to power the Argentine economy out of its slough back into economic leadership within Latin America. Watch also for Kirchner to forge strong links with his Fatherland.