1984 Argentine Beagle conflict dispute resolution referendum

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 Raul Alfonsin declared that he would respect the outcome of the vote. The proposal was approved by 82.6% of voters, with a turnout of 70%.

Beagle conflict dispute resolution referendum
25 November 1984 (1984-11-25)

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.
Ballots used in the referendum.
LocationArgentina
Results
Response
Votes %
Yes 10,454,172 82.60%
No 2,201,963 17.40%
Valid votes 12,656,135 98.40%
Invalid or blank votes 205,220 1.60%
Total votes 12,861,355 100.00%
Registered voters/turnout 18,350,863 70.09%

Percentage of YES votes

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

Referendum results
Choice Votes %
Yes 10,454,172 82.60
No 2,201,963 17.40
Valid votes 12,656,135 98.40
Invalid or blank votes 205,220 2.60
Total votes 12,861,355 100.00
Registered voters and turnout 18,350,863 70.09

By province

Province Yes No Invalid/
blank
Total Registered
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]

References

  1. Dieter Nohlen (2005) Elections in the Americas: A data handbook, Volume II, p67 ISBN 978-0-19-928358-3
  2. UPI (26 November 1984). "Beagle Channel Treaty Approved in Argentina". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  3. James W. McGuire (1 February 1999). The rise and fall of Renewal Peronism. Peronism Without Peron: Unions, Parties, and Democracy in Argentina. ISBN 9780804736558. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  4. Carlos Ares (26 November 1984). "Los argentinos refrendan con mayoría holgada el acuerdo con Chile sobre Beagle". Diario El País. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  5. Las relaciones con los países latinoamericanos, Las relaciones con Chile Carlos Escudé and Andrés Cisneros
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