On April 16, 1879, the Conquest of the Desert officially began, a military action organized by the Argentine State that would mark a turning point in the process of territorial expansion toward the south of the country.
This operation was led by the then Minister of War and Navy, General Julio Argentino Roca, who would later become president of the Nation on two occasions. In this context, the Government of Javier Milei claims the Conquest of the Desert as a essential historical milestone in the history of Argentina, which meant not only the extension of the national territory but also the constitution of the modern Argentine State.
Roca's leadership was key to carrying out a comprehensive strategy that sought to extend Argentine sovereignty over territories that until then were not fully incorporated into the national State.
The Conquest of the Desert was part of a broader historical process that included numerous military expeditions and agreements with indigenous peoples throughout the 19th century. These actions were carried out by different provincial and national governments with the aim of securing control of areas considered "frontier," where the presence of the State was limited or nonexistent. The 1879 campaign, however, was the most ambitious and effective of all, due to its organization, resources deployed, and territorial reach.
