logo
Charles Darwin's contribution to Patagonia's grim history

Charles Darwin's contribution to Patagonia's grim history

Spectator7 days ago

It was a journey Bruce Chatwin hankered to make: to Southampton and the grave of General Juan Manuel de Rosas, the exiled Argentine dictator described in the Southampton Times after his funeral in 1877 as 'one of the most cruel, remorseless and sanguinary tyrants who ever existed on Earth'. Chatwin died before I could accompany him to the Hill Lane Cemetery, but four years later I stood with his widow in front of Rosas's ornamented tomb in Buenos Aires as we prepared to meander south on a 2,000-mile car journey in his footsteps.
In 1989, the year of Chatwin's death, President Menem decided to have Rosas's remains repatriated as a gesture of national reconciliation. Their arrival was greeted by mounted lancers wearing Rosas's signature red uniform. But his bones were still contentious. W.H. Hudson's great-niece told us that the original grave in Southampton – Rosas ended his days as a dairy farmer in nearby Swaythling – had been destroyed by bombing in the second world war that had killed some stray cattle. The returned relics were unlikely to be Rosas's. 'People say they are the bones of a cow.'
To read Matthew Carr's 'grim history' of Patagonia is to realise how much of our understanding of this evocative region has been based on a succession of monstrous misidentifications and misconceptions. As the author does not flinch from reminding us, the vast territory which Rosas had sought to subjugate in his Desert Campaign (1833-4) – and which Chatwin's 1977 travel book In Patagonia resuscitated as a mysterious, exotic wilderness – was misunderstood by outsiders from the start.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Argentina's top court upholds 6-year prison sentence for ex-President Fernández over corruption
Argentina's top court upholds 6-year prison sentence for ex-President Fernández over corruption

NBC News

time12 hours ago

  • NBC News

Argentina's top court upholds 6-year prison sentence for ex-President Fernández over corruption

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Argentina 's highest court upheld a six-year prison sentence for former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner in a ruling Tuesday that permanently banned her from public office over the corruption conviction that found she had directed state contracts to a friend while she was the first lady and president. The explosive Supreme Court ruling left Fernández, Argentina's charismatic yet deeply divisive ex-leader, subject to arrest and sent her supporters pouring into the streets of Buenos Aires, Argentina's capital, and blocking major highways in protest. The court asked Argentina's security ministry to set up a detention center to hold 72-year-old Fernández. Her defense lawyer Carlos Beraldi told C5N, a television station in Buenos Aires, that he had requested Fernández be allowed to serve her sentence in house arrest given her age. The ruling bars Fernández from running in this fall's Buenos Aires legislative elections just days after she launched her campaign. Fernández — who dominated Argentine politics for two decades and forged the country's main left-wing populist movement known as Kirchnerism, after her and her husband, former President Néstor Kirchner — rejects the charges as politically motivated. During Fernández's eight years in office (2007–2015), Argentina expanded cash payments to the poor and pioneered major social assistance programs. But her governments funded the unbridled state spending by printing money, bringing Argentina notoriety for massive budget deficits and sky-high inflation. Critics blamed Argentina's years of economic volatility on Fernández's policies, and outrage over successive economic crises and the country's bloated bureaucracy helped vault radical libertarian President Javier Milei to the presidency in late 2023. The ruling dealt a severe blow to Milei's opposition during a crucial midterm election year. He celebrated the ruling, writing on social media: 'Justice. Period.' Fernández was embroiled in multiple corruption scandals during her tenure. She was convicted in 2022 in this corruption case, which centered on 51 public contracts for public works awarded to companies linked to Lázaro Báez, a convicted construction magnate and friend of the presidential couple, at prices 20% above the standard rate in a scheme that cost the state tens of millions of dollars. The high court rejected Fernández's request for the court to review her prison sentence in March. In a resolution obtained by The Associated Press, the court said that the prison sentence 'does nothing more than to protect our republican and democratic system.' The Kirchner governments carried out 'an extraordinary fraudulent maneuver' that harmed the interests of the government and resulted in the embezzlement of roughly $70 million at the current exchange rate, the resolution said. Supporters of Fernández and her political movement blocked main roads into Buenos Aires and stormed the offices of Argentina's two main cable networks that are widely considered critical of the ex-leader, Channel 13 and Todos Noticias, smashing televisions, vandalizing cars and shattering windows. There were no injuries reported. Fernández rejected the decision, calling the court justices 'puppets' of those wielding economic power in the country. 'They're three puppets answering to those ruling far above them,' she told supporters in a rousing speech outside her party's headquarters. 'It's not the opposition. It's the concentrated economic power of Argentina's government.' Gregorio Dalbón, one of Fernández's lawyers, vowed 'to take this case to all international human rights organizations.' Fernández has questioned the impartiality of the judges. She claims her defense didn't have access to much of the evidence and that it was gathered without regard to legal deadlines.

Charles Darwin's contribution to Patagonia's grim history
Charles Darwin's contribution to Patagonia's grim history

Spectator

time7 days ago

  • Spectator

Charles Darwin's contribution to Patagonia's grim history

It was a journey Bruce Chatwin hankered to make: to Southampton and the grave of General Juan Manuel de Rosas, the exiled Argentine dictator described in the Southampton Times after his funeral in 1877 as 'one of the most cruel, remorseless and sanguinary tyrants who ever existed on Earth'. Chatwin died before I could accompany him to the Hill Lane Cemetery, but four years later I stood with his widow in front of Rosas's ornamented tomb in Buenos Aires as we prepared to meander south on a 2,000-mile car journey in his footsteps. In 1989, the year of Chatwin's death, President Menem decided to have Rosas's remains repatriated as a gesture of national reconciliation. Their arrival was greeted by mounted lancers wearing Rosas's signature red uniform. But his bones were still contentious. W.H. Hudson's great-niece told us that the original grave in Southampton – Rosas ended his days as a dairy farmer in nearby Swaythling – had been destroyed by bombing in the second world war that had killed some stray cattle. The returned relics were unlikely to be Rosas's. 'People say they are the bones of a cow.' To read Matthew Carr's 'grim history' of Patagonia is to realise how much of our understanding of this evocative region has been based on a succession of monstrous misidentifications and misconceptions. As the author does not flinch from reminding us, the vast territory which Rosas had sought to subjugate in his Desert Campaign (1833-4) – and which Chatwin's 1977 travel book In Patagonia resuscitated as a mysterious, exotic wilderness – was misunderstood by outsiders from the start.

Lisandro Martinez makes Man Utd transfer decision after surprise Napoli links
Lisandro Martinez makes Man Utd transfer decision after surprise Napoli links

Metro

time04-06-2025

  • Metro

Lisandro Martinez makes Man Utd transfer decision after surprise Napoli links

Lisandro Martinez has no intention of leaving Manchester United despite becoming the subject of interest from Serie A champions Napoli, according to reports. Martinez is still working his way back from a cruciate ligament injury he suffered in February and may not feature again until 2026. Despite that, reports in Italy suggested that the Argentine international was attracting interest from Napoli as they look to bolster their defensive options. The Italian giants enjoyed great success buying from United last summer, recruiting Scott McTominay for a cut-price fee of £25million. McTominay then went on to play a guiding role for Antonio Conte's side, scoring 12 times as Napoli saw off Inter Milan to win the title. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. However, Napoli are unlikely to be able to repeat the trick this time around, with the Daily Mail reporting Martinez is more than happy at Old Trafford and has no desire to move. Prior to his injury, the 27-year-old had established himself as a key part of Ruben Amorim's defence and is seen as one of the experienced leaders within the United squad. While Martinez may not join, however, Napoli could have more success trying to sign Alejandro Garnacho who has fallen out of favour with Amorim. The Serie A side were interested in signing Garnacho in January but were unable to reach an agreement with United at the time. The Red Devils have since lowered their asking price to £60m, but Garnacho appears to have his heart set on staying in the Premier League amid interest from Chelsea. More Trending Garnachp is one of several players that could leave Old Trafford this summer as United look to raise funds for another costly rebuild. Antony, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford are all set to leave the club when they return from their respective loans. The club will also reportedly entertain offers for Kobbie Mainoo, while Rasmus Hojlund could be set for a move to Italy, after Inter were credited with an interest in the young striker. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Sweden boss rubbishes Viktor Gyokeres transfer claim amid Arsenal talks MORE: Ange Postecoglou speaks out on message to Spurs fans during Europa League parade MORE: Steven Gerrard names five teams that can rival Liverpool for the Premier League title next season

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store