Raúl Alfonsín

Born Mar 12, 1927

Raul Alfonsín (1927-2009) was Argentina's first democratically elected president, from 1983 to 1989, after the country's last military dictatorship. His government charged the heads of the military with crimes against humanity, which was a historical event worldwide. His presidency, however, was quickly eroded due to extreme political tensions with the opposition and the military, which was aggravated by a period of hyperinflation and a failed coup attempt that fastened his exit from government.