Argentina Trying Former Intelligence and Military Officials

The trial of 5 former intelligence and military officials began this week in Argentina. The defendants are accused of kidnapping, torturing, and murdering left-wing activists during the country's military rule between 1976 and 1983. They allegedly ran the Automotores Orletti detention centre in Buenos Aires where more than 200 people are believed to have been kidnapped, tortured and killed during Operation Condor. The operation was designed to silence opposition and dissent by sending teams around Argentina and into other countries to track, monitor and kill dissidents. How did Argentina move from being a state where violations were committed with absolute impunity to becoming a state where even the highest officials are tried for violating human rights law? Can the United States learn from Argentina and its neighbors?