1. Life and Background
Raúl Alberto Lastiri's early life and family origins trace back to Europe, with his parents having immigrated to Argentina.
1.1. Family and Origin
Lastiri's father, José María Lastiri, was born in Almandoz, Navarre, in northern Spain. His mother, María Ferrari, hailed from Rome, Lazio, in central Italy. Raúl Alberto Lastiri was one of ten children, having nine siblings.
2. Political Career
Lastiri's political career saw him rise through the ranks of Argentine politics, eventually leading to his interim presidency during a tumultuous period.
2.1. Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies
Prior to assuming the interim presidency, Raúl Alberto Lastiri served as the President of the Argentine Chamber of Deputies. In this role, he presided over the lower house of the Argentine National Congress, overseeing legislative proceedings and representing the chamber in various capacities. This position placed him in a key constitutional role that would become significant during the political crisis of 1973.
2.2. Interim Presidency
Lastiri's period as interim President of Argentina was a pivotal moment in the country's political landscape, marked by a rapid succession of events and significant policy decisions.
2.2.1. Background and Succession
Lastiri's ascent to the presidency was a direct consequence of a political crisis within the Peronist government. On July 13, 1973, both President Héctor Cámpora and Vice President Vicente Solano Lima resigned from their positions. This unexpected double resignation created a power vacuum. As the President of the Argentine Chamber of Deputies, Raúl Alberto Lastiri was constitutionally next in line for the presidency, and he assumed the interim role. His primary mandate was to stabilize the political situation and prepare the country for new presidential elections, which were crucial for the return of Juan Perón to power.
2.2.2. Economic and Foreign Policy
During his brief presidency, Lastiri's government implemented several key policies, particularly in the economic and foreign policy spheres. José Ber Gelbard was confirmed as the Minister of Economy, continuing his previous economic strategies. These policies included the nationalization of bank deposits, a move aimed at asserting greater state control over the financial system. Gelbard also announced a "Triennial Plan" for national development, outlining economic goals and strategies for the upcoming years.
In foreign policy, Argentina maintained a Third World orientation, signaling a continued alignment with non-aligned nations. A notable initiative in this regard was the granting of a significant loan to Cuba. In August 1973, Argentina provided Cuba with a loan of 200.00 M USD specifically for the purchase of machinery and cars, reflecting a policy of regional cooperation and support for developing nations.
2.2.3. Domestic Political Situation and Social Unrest
Lastiri's interim presidency was overshadowed by a dramatic escalation of domestic political violence and social unrest, which had severe implications for human rights and civil liberties. The period saw a sustained increase in anti-government leftist violence. On September 25, 1973, José Ignacio Rucci, the Secretary-General of the CGT (Argentina's national trade union center) and a close associate of Juan Perón, was assassinated, allegedly by a commando unit of the Montoneros guerrilla group.
In the same month, the Ejército Revolucionario del Pueblo (ERP) attacked an Army medical unit located in Parque Patricios, a neighborhood in Buenos Aires, resulting in the death of an officer. The government used this attack as a justification to declare the ERP illegal and to shut down the newspaper El Mundo, which was seen as sympathetic to leftist movements. These actions by the government, in response to the escalating violence, contributed to a climate of repression and raised concerns about the erosion of civil liberties. The influence of right-wing factions, including the paramilitary organization Triple A linked to Lastiri's father-in-law, José López Rega, further exacerbated the political polarization and contributed to a period of state-sponsored violence that would intensify in the years to come.
2.2.4. Handover to Juan Perón
Lastiri's primary constitutional duty as interim president was to facilitate the return to democratic rule through new elections. Following a comprehensive electoral process, Juan Perón secured a decisive victory in the September 1973 presidential elections, winning with over 60% of the votes. On October 12, 1973, Raúl Alberto Lastiri formally handed over the presidency to Perón, fulfilling his mandate and marking the end of his brief but consequential interim term. This transfer of power symbolized the culmination of Perón's long-awaited return to Argentina after years of exile.
3. Post-Presidency and Later Life
After his interim presidency, Raúl Alberto Lastiri continued to be involved in Argentine politics for a period, though his later life was marked by controversy and political downfall.
3.1. Continued Role in Chamber of Deputies
Following his handover of the presidency to Juan Perón on October 12, 1973, Lastiri returned to his previous role as the President of the Argentine Chamber of Deputies. He continued to serve in this capacity until July 17, 1975, when he was replaced by Nicasio Sánchez Sorondo. His continued presence in a high-ranking legislative position indicated his ongoing influence within the Peronist political structure, even after his brief stint as head of state.
3.2. Association with Propaganda Due (P2)
A significant controversy emerged posthumously regarding Lastiri's alleged membership in the P2 (Propaganda Due) masonic lodge. This secret Italian masonic lodge, known for its involvement in various political scandals and alleged criminal activities, had a list of its members discovered in 1980 by Licio Gelli, the Grand Master of the lodge. Raúl Alberto Lastiri's name appeared on this list, revealing his alleged affiliation with the organization. The revelation of his P2 membership, along with other prominent Argentine figures, further fueled suspicions about the clandestine influences on Argentine politics during the 1970s.
3.3. End of Political Career
Raúl Alberto Lastiri's political career effectively concluded with the downfall and exile of his influential father-in-law, José López Rega. López Rega, who had served as the powerful Minister of Social Welfare during Lastiri's presidency and subsequently under Isabel Perón, faced accusations of abuse of power and corruption. As a result, he was forced into exile, which severely undermined Lastiri's political standing and influence. Lastiri's close ties to López Rega were a critical factor in the termination of his own political trajectory.
3.4. House Arrest and Death
The political landscape in Argentina drastically changed with the military coup on March 24, 1976, which initiated the military dictatorship. Following the coup, many political figures from the previous government were arrested or detained. Raúl Alberto Lastiri was placed under house arrest by the new military regime. He remained under house arrest until his death on December 11, 1978.
4. Honours and Awards
During his political career, Raúl Alberto Lastiri received several distinctions from foreign governments.
4.1. Foreign Honours
Lastiri was recognized with significant foreign honours, reflecting his diplomatic engagements and political standing. These include:
Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic 
Order of the White Lion, 2nd Class - Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic (Spain), awarded in 1973.
- Order of the White Lion, 2nd Class (Czechoslovakia), awarded in 1974.
5. Evaluation and Controversy
Raúl Alberto Lastiri's brief but impactful interim presidency is a subject of ongoing historical evaluation, marked by significant criticisms and controversies, particularly concerning its implications for democratic processes and human rights.
5.1. Criticism and Controversies
Lastiri's presidency is often viewed critically due to his alleged ties to the P2 masonic lodge and the pervasive influence of his father-in-law, José López Rega. López Rega, a key figure in Lastiri's government, was not only a confirmed P2 member but also the alleged architect of the Triple A, a paramilitary organization responsible for widespread human rights abuses and acts of state terrorism. The confirmation of López Rega as Minister of Social Welfare during Lastiri's term signaled a turn towards more right-wing policies within the Peronist Party, which many critics argue contributed to the erosion of democratic institutions and the escalation of political violence.
The government's handling of political opposition during Lastiri's tenure also draws significant criticism. The increase in anti-government leftist violence, including the assassinations of figures like José Ignacio Rucci and attacks by groups such as the ERP, led to repressive measures. The government's decision to illegalize the ERP and shut down newspapers like El Mundo, justified by these acts of violence, is seen by many as a suppression of dissent and a curtailment of civil liberties. These actions, coupled with the rising influence of paramilitary groups, laid a dangerous precedent, contributing to a climate of fear and violence that would intensify under subsequent governments, ultimately leading to the brutal military dictatorship of 1976. Critics argue that Lastiri's presidency, whether by design or by circumstance, facilitated the rise of authoritarian tendencies and failed to adequately protect human rights, setting the stage for future atrocities.
5.2. Social and Political Impact
The social and political consequences of Raúl Alberto Lastiri's presidency on Argentina were profound and far-reaching, fundamentally altering the trajectory of the nation's democratic development. His brief term, characterized by the significant influence of right-wing factions and controversial figures like José López Rega, marked a critical turning point. The consolidation of power by these elements within the Peronist movement contributed to a deepening political polarization, exacerbating tensions between various factions, particularly between the left and right wings of Peronism.
The escalation of political violence, including assassinations and the emergence of paramilitary groups such as the Triple A, directly impacted civil society. The government's response to this violence, including the suppression of opposition groups and media, undermined democratic institutions and curtailed fundamental human rights and civil liberties. This period saw the normalization of political violence as a means of control, contributing to a climate of instability and fear. Lastiri's presidency, therefore, is often analyzed as a crucial transitional phase that, despite its brevity, significantly contributed to the breakdown of democratic processes and the subsequent rise of the military dictatorship in 1976, with lasting negative effects on Argentina's social fabric and political stability.