Argentina’s Secret Military Plans Against Brazil During Wold War II

For much of the 20th century, Argentina and Brazil were locked in rivalry and mutual distrust, with both nations contemplating potential military confrontation. Though no open war ever transpired between the two, military plans for invasion and occupation were crafted by both sides at various times. This article delves into these plans, highlighting Argentina’s 2019 scheme to invade Venezuela, which allegedly included simulations of an intervention in Brazil.

Historically, Argentina viewed Brazil as a possible threat and developed several plans for an eventual invasion. One notable plan was the “Plan Rubber,” devised by the United States during World War II. This plan involved a potential American invasion and occupation of Brazil’s northeastern coast from Natal if diplomatic efforts with dictator Getúlio Vargas failed. The plan was never executed due to successful diplomatic initiatives and U.S. permission to operate air and naval bases in northeastern Brazil.

Another invasion plan came to light recently through an Argentine news portal. According to “El Cohete a la Luna,” in 2019, under former President Mauricio Macri, the Argentine Army conducted a military exercise named “Puma” between April and July. This exercise simulated an intervention in Venezuela and reportedly included scenarios for invading Brazil. The timing of the “Puma” exercise coincided with the period when the Trump administration recognized Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s interim president, with Macri expressing support for Guaidó on social media.

Brazilian Reactions and Evolving Relations

The revelations about Argentina’s alleged invasion plans sparked concern and reactions in Brazil. Some Brazilian military officials feared potential aggression from Argentina, especially during Juan Perón’s administrations in the 1940s and 1950s. A study mentioned in “Pesquisa FAPESP” suggested that Argentine forces could reach the state of Paraná before being repelled by Brazilian troops.

However, other experts argue that the rivalry between Brazil and Argentina is reciprocal but the understanding each country has of the other is based on unilateral biases and prejudices. Furthermore, it is contended that Brazil only became capable of countering Argentine aggression after the 1970s.

Despite past hostility and mutual distrust, relations between Brazil and Argentina have evolved throughout the 20th century. In the 1970s, tensions centered around hydroelectric projects in the Paraná Basin, with Argentina criticizing the Itaipu agreement and initiating its own projects. However, 1979 marked a turning point with the signing of the Tripartite Technical-Operational Cooperation Agreement between Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay, aligning the Itaipu and Corpus projects. During President João Figueiredo’s visit to Argentina that year, the Cooperation Agreement for the Development and Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy was also signed.

The strategic alliance between Brazil and Argentina was formally established by Presidents Fernando Henrique Cardoso and Carlos Menem in April 1997. Today, the two nations together account for 63% of South America’s total area, 60% of its population, and 61% of its GDP.

Although Argentina’s invasion plans never materialized, they highlight the deep-seated historical rivalry between the two countries. Over time, however, the relationship between Brazil and Argentina has strengthened significantly through various agreements and strategic alliances, reflecting a shift from rivalry to cooperation.