My Argentinian friend Carlos

 

 

Dr. Ruwan M Jayatunge 

Argentina, the second-largest country in South America, holds a special place in my memories due to my friendship with Carlos, a senior at the medical faculty. An avid football enthusiast, Calos and I watched the 1990 FIFA World Cup together, where Diego Maradona led the Argentine team. As the final match unfolded between Argentina and West Germany, Carlos's hopes soared, but they were dashed when Argentina lost, leading to West Germany's victory. His frustration peaked when the Venezuelan referee issued a yellow card to Maradona, whom he believed was unfairly treated. He referred to the Venezuelan referee using the term "PUTA," which I later learned is a vulgar and offensive Spanish word for "whore. The sight of Maradona in tears after the defeat was poignant, and it left Carlos in a state of melancholy for several weeks.

In 1987, Argentina presented a resolution at the United Nations addressing human rights violations in Sri Lanka. This action was perceived as a retaliatory measure, stemming from Sri Lanka's support for the United Kingdom during the Falklands War. Carlos was aware of this situation and remarked that while Argentinians were unfamiliar with Sri Lanka's geographical location, their community felt a strong sense of discontent when Sri Lanka chose to support Great Britain during the Falklands War. He emphasized that the Falkland Islands are not British territory; they rightfully belong to them.

I inquired about Eva Perón from Carlos. Eva Perón is a highly controversial figure in Argentina's history. Known for her lavish lifestyle, she often faced criticism for allegedly misappropriating government funds alongside her husband, President Juan Perón. Despite these accusations, many admire her for her efforts to support the impoverished, viewing her as a champion of the underprivileged.

Carlos acknowledged that shortly after World War II, Nazi war criminals found refuge in Argentina, which became a sanctuary for them. Many arrived with stolen wealth, including money and diamonds taken from Jewish victims. Under President Juan Perón's administration, Argentina's policies facilitated the entry of these individuals due to a mix of ideological affinities, the need for skilled labour, and financial motivations.

Carlos held a deep admiration for Ernesto Guevara, viewing him as an iconic figure. In contrast, I found Che Guevara to be a polarizing individual, eliciting mixed feelings about his legacy and actions. Guevara was celebrated as a freedom fighter; he was also responsible for summary executions and harboured animosity towards the LGBT community.

His final days were marked by fear and desperation as he and his comrades were trapped by US-backed Bolivian forces. After enduring attacks that led to the deaths of his team members, Guevara, wounded, pleaded for his life, asserting that he was more valuable alive than dead. Captured and presented to a CIA operative, he was treated with unexpected respect, being addressed as "Commander" while the operative reported his capture to headquarters. However, the directive from HQ was clear: Guevara was to be executed. The implication of this order visibly affected him, yet he consented to a photograph with the operative. Shortly after, he was shot by a Bolivian soldier, meeting his end with a sense of dignity. Despite his controversial legacy, Guevara has been posthumously celebrated as a revolutionary icon, with some historians noting his role in the torture and execution of many Cubans. Over time, his image has evolved into that of a martyr, sometimes even likened to a Christ-like figure.

In 2020, I was referred to a patient by Dr. Ilan Nahim for psychological treatment. This individual, originally from Argentina, struggled with addiction-related issues. During our sessions, he recounted a troubling narrative about his life in Argentina, the veracity of which I cannot ascertain. He claimed that Argentina has a predominantly white population, with a significantly smaller number of people of colour. According to him, the government issued an unofficial ultimatum to the colored community, leading to the expulsion of many and instilling fear among those who remained, who faced intimidation and severe repercussions. He described a systematic "whitening" process in the country, driven by various government policies and social pressures.

My patient, originally from Argentina, had a pit bull that accompanied him to our sessions as his emotional support service dog. He was making progress in his treatment and was gradually distancing himself from drug use. Unfortunately, following a family tragedy, he experienced a relapse. In 2004, I learned that he had taken OxyContin and tragically succumbed to an overdose.