1984 Argentine Beagle conflict dispute resolution referendum explained

Country:Argentina
Conformity (or disconformity) of the citizen with the terms of the conclusion of the negotiations with the Republic of Chile to resolve the dispute concerning the area of the Beagle Channel.
Location:Argentina
Date:25 November 1984
Yes:10454172
No:2201963
Total:12861355
Electorate:18350863
Mapdivision:province
Map:Resultados del referendum argentino de 1984.png

A non-binding referendum on resolving the Beagle conflict was held in Argentina on 25 November 1984.[1] Voters were asked whether they approved of the government's negotiated settlement with Chile, which would result in Argentina recognising the Picton, Lennox and Nueva islands as being Chilean territory. Although the plebiscite was not binding, President Raúl Alfonsín declared that he would respect the outcome of the vote. The proposal was approved by 82.6% of voters, with a turnout of 70%.

Background

The ruling party, the Radical Civic Union, called for a vote in favor of the settlement. The opposition, headed by the Justicialist Party, boycotted the process, claiming that it distracted from economic problems.[2] Some opponents, including Herminio Iglesias, called for voters to participate in the referendum and vote against. In contrast, other leaders like Carlos Menem came out in favour of the settlement.[3] The right-wing, including military groups that ruled Argentina between 1976 and 1983, were also against the settlement.[4]

Results

By province

ProvinceYesNoInvalid/
blank
TotalRegistered
voters
Turnout
Votes%Votes%
Buenos Aires4,237,25180.94997,83119.0676,3035,311,3856,758,33678.59
Buenos Aires City1,311,38781.67294,28118.3322,2091,627,8772,418,93367.30
Catamarca64,04195.063,3304.9479468,165133,81450.94
Chaco220,71683.1344,79316.875,028270,537408,05866.30
Chubut93,83383.0419,17016.961,255114,258158,86371.92
Córdoba1,027,22388.80129,59911.2022,8041,179,6261,669,71570.65
Corrientes232,86485.0840,84014.923,949277,653448,41861.92
Entre Ríos345,97086.8552,40213.1511,034409,406623,29765.68
Formosa88,60486.9113,34213.091,892103,838170,97870.73
Jujuy99,38584.2518,57515.752,146120,106225,74353.20
La Pampa84,14894.564,8375.441,66890,653149,55760.61
La Rioja31,48690.443,3299.5643435,24942,86182.24
Mendoza376,82166.72187,99933.288,592573,412768,60874.60
Misiones191,82883.6837,41316.325,806235,047336,37669.88
Neuquén96,28287.5613,68212.441,224111,188147,09075.59
Río Negro132,20387.4618,96012.542,686153,849209,08273.58
Salta193,89475.2563,78524.754,061261,740403,44164.88
San Juan162,88689.1119,90610.892,193184,985292,77763.18
San Luis85,51489.4310,10510.571,27396,892151,48663.96
Santa Cruz30,23278.218,42221.7937239,02656,01869.67
Santa Fe901,94387.22132,14212.7820,3411,054,4261,721,82561.24
Santiago del Estero137,49186.6921,10613.313,512162,109402,00340.33
Tierra del Fuego9,68259.776,51640.2315016,34820,68579.03
Tucumán298,48883.3659,59816.645,494363,580632,89957.45
Total10,454,17282.602,201,96317.40205,22012,861,35518,350,86370.09

Aftermath

Despite the overwhelming support from voters, the Argentine National Congress only approved the treaty on 14 March 1985 by a vote of 23–22, with one abstention.[5]

See also

Notes and References

  1. [Dieter Nohlen]
  2. Web site: Beagle Channel Treaty Approved in Argentina. 21 May 2017. UPI. 26 November 1984. The New York Times.
  3. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=MfY60uIwKP8C&q=1984+referendum+beagle&pg=PA208. The rise and fall of Renewal Peronism. 21 May 2017. James W. McGuire. 1 February 1999. Peronism Without Peron: Unions, Parties, and Democracy in Argentina. Stanford University Press. 9780804736558.
  4. News: Los argentinos refrendan con mayoría holgada el acuerdo con Chile sobre Beagle. 21 May 2017. Carlos Ares. 26 November 1984. El País.
  5. http://www.argentina-rree.com/14/14-082.htm Las relaciones con los países latinoamericanos, Las relaciones con Chile