Quebracho (movement)
Quebracho (officially: Movimiento Patriótico Revolucionario Quebracho , abbreviated MPR QUebracho ) is a political movement in Argentina that is assigned to the extreme left political spectrum , but which is also accused of typical elements of right-wing extremist ideology (above all anti-Semitism and nationalism ). It is a cross-front movement that invokes many left theorists, but supported the Islamic fascist Hezbollah at a demonstration . It was founded in 1996 by members of left splinter parties and sees itself in the tradition of the resistance and guerrilla movements of the 60s and 70s, like the Montoneros . The name comes from the quebracho tree that is widespread in Argentina . The wood of the Quebracho blancos is so hard that it can break an ax, see the origin of the name .
Ideology and form of organization
The movement's goal is a socialist, free Latin America based on the ideals of Simón Bolívar . In this it hardly differs from other left movements in Argentina; The relationships between Quebracho and other groups with similar goals are, however, poor due to the movement's propensity for violence and the often radical activism.
Although the movement cannot be classified as a party in the strict sense of the word and also practically does not take part in elections, it is constantly present in the media because of its activities. Quebracho takes part in protest marches and demonstrations of all kinds and is particularly noticeable there because of street battles with the police or cases of property damage, both against private and public institutions. Activists of the movement usually appear masked with scarves. Quebracho members often infiltrate protest rallies of the so-called piquetero movement and exploit them for their own purposes.
The president of the organization is Fernando Esteche . There is a persistent rumor surrounding him that he is in fact an agent of the Argentine Secret Service (SIDE) who was infiltrated into the movement in order to discredit it during the reign of Carlos Menem . In 2003, the former chairman of SIDE confirmed this without being able to clearly prove it.
Accusation of anti-Semitism
In 2006, the movement caused a sensation when some of its leaders showed solidarity with anti-Israeli statements by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad . The movement then asserted, however, that it was not anti-Semitic but anti-imperialist.