Juan Peron  By: Violeta M.

           In 1943, the people of Argentina could no longer tolerate the machinations of President Ramon Castillo and took control. They had grown to admire the manner in which Germany transformed itself in the 1930's from a vanquished and humiliated nations into a proud and mighty world power. The GUO took control of the union, censored the media, suppressed opposition and jailed dissidents. Peron was gaining power within the GUO. Cunning, capable and charismatic he used his position as labor minister to win the trust and support of organized labor by offering pensions and benefits. Rival officers feared his ambitions and disliked the "left-wing" programs he implements and had Peron jailed. But his supporters in the labor movement staged a massive pro-Peron demonstration in the streets of Buenos Aires that forced his release on October 17, 1945. An election was set for 1946 and Peron ran for the presidency extolling the virtues of democracy. Peron captured 54% of the votes.