Argentina recently announced that it will relaunch its uranium-enrichment program, as part of the country's ongoing return to nuclear power. In an e-mail interview, W. Alejandro Sanchez, a research fellow at the Council on Hemispheric Affairs, discussed the history and significance of Argentina's nuclear program.
WPR: What is the historical context of Argentina's nuclear program?
W. Alejandro Sanchez: Argentina's nuclear program dates back to its last military government (1976-1983). At the time there were reports that Buenos Aires was aggressively pushing for a nuclear program with the goal of building nuclear weapons. In part, this was a response to interstate tensions and other nuclear programs in the region. During that period, Brazil was also under a military dictatorship (1964-1985) and had a secret nuclear program of its own. Additionally, Argentina had tensions with Chile, then ruled by Gen. Augusto Pinochet.