In a shocking exposé, new revelations detail how Argentina systematically erased its Black population, reducing Afro-Argentines from nearly 30% of the population in the late 18th century to a mere 5% today. This dark chapter of history, steeped in racism and cultural amnesia, reveals the disturbing lengths to which the Argentine government went to eliminate Black voices and experiences from its national narrative.

Historical accounts indicate that by 1857, Afro-Argentines comprised one-third of the nation’s populace—a vibrant community that significantly shaped Argentine culture, including the tango. Yet, the late 1800s marked a catastrophic decline, driven by a series of brutal socio-political maneuvers and devastating events. The aftermath of the War of Paraguay (1865-1870) and a rampant yellow fever outbreak in 1871 decimated Black communities, but the real horror lay in the policies of President Domingo Faustino Sarmiento. He openly advocated for a “whitening” of society, viewing Black individuals as inferior and enacting measures that led to mass executions, forced military conscription, and systemic neglect of Black neighborhoods.

The consequences were dire. The government’s neglect during health crises and rampant discrimination resulted in the erasure of Afro-Argentines from the census, history books, and public consciousness. Today, Argentina stands as the whitest country in South America, its Black population largely forgotten, even as contemporary Afro-Argentines face ongoing discrimination and socioeconomic hardship.

This narrative of erasure highlights a cultural amnesia that denies the significant contributions of Afro-Argentines to the fabric of the nation. Activists are now calling for recognition and restitution, urging society to confront this unsettling legacy. The fight to reclaim Black history in Argentina is urgent and vital, as the nation grapples with its identity and the painful scars of racism that persist today.