In Formosa, the existence of a dictatorial system has normalized over the years, despite sinking into backwardness and poverty. This province has become a symbol of what Peronism can do when in power, pushing Argentina towards irrationality. Gildo Insfrán, governor of Formosa for 37 years, has used the tools of democracy to act like a dictator, relying on the support of the Justicialist Party.
The recent vote in the Formosa Chamber of Deputies, which would allow for the modification of the provincial constitution so that Insfrán can remain in power for more years, is yet another indication of his attempts to cling to control. The opposition is persecuted, and drug trafficking operates with impunity. The judiciary in the province is colonized by Insfrán, ensuring that justice does not reach him.
The use of state funds to finance militants and ensure the continued power of a single individual is an affront to democracy. Formosa is a province characterized by backwardness, where vote manipulation and the persecution of opponents are common practices. Insfrán's absolute control over the lives of citizens is incompatible with the idea of a modern country.
Violence and impunity seem to prevail in Formosa. Even citizens like Francisco Bernardet, who attempt to protect women from aggressors close to power, can end up imprisoned without trial or sentence. This climate of fear and repression is fueled by a model based on authoritarianism, corruption, and information manipulation.
The situation in Formosa has led to calls for intervention in the province. The excess of public employees, price gouging in state purchases, and lack of administrative transparency are just some of the signs of a system that becomes corrupt with absolute power. Lord Acton's phrase, "Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely," seems to find a troubling echo in the reality of Formosa.