Operativo Cóndor: 60 years since the Malvinas flight diversion

Argentina is marking the 60th anniversary of ‘Operativo Cóndor,’ a 1966 event in which eighteen Peronist youths hijacked a commercial airliner to land in the Falkland Islands (Malvinas). Led by Dardo Cabo, Alejandro Giovenco, and Juan Carlos Rodríguez, the group diverted the plane to fly Argentine flags on the islands for 36 hours as a symbolic act of sovereignty against the dictatorship of Juan Carlos Onganía.

The operation was reportedly a non-violent act that did not involve taking hostages, with passengers staying in local homes. The event was motivated in part by opposition to the visit of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, to Argentina at the time.

As the anniversary approaches, the event has sparked controversy following a decision by the National Secretariat of Culture to remove one of the original flags from exhibition at the Malvinas Museum.