Friday, March 14, 2008

Why did so many Nazis flee to Argentina?

Why Argentina? Well, number of reasons. But simplistically speaking, here are 1-2-3 -

1. Many Germans began to migrate to South Am since the 19th century. So, the SS men/ fugitives could integrate with the community there without raising any suspicions.

2. Although Argentina declared that she was neutral, Juan Peron, the then President during WWII was a known Nazi sympathiser.

3. Argentinian extradition laws are pretty rigid. Getting a fugitive extradited from Argentina is a Herculean task. Historically speaking, South American governments like Chile, Argentina, etc were always bogged by one coup or the other. Leaders often flee to neighbouring countries for political asylum or otherwise. Hence, South Am countries as a general rule have very strict extradition laws that seem to 'protect' fugitives. Think about it - You are President John Doe of a South Am country. You allow President Bud Joe who escaped to your country after a coup to be extradited to his Country C where he will be imprisoned or dropped into the Pacific. But, it might be your turn a few years down the lane. So you rather not rub Country C's allies or even some party in Country C in the wrong way. This results in an extradition culture that could sometimes provide a haven to Jack the Rippers and Son of Sam and so on..

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