Los Exilios

Los Exilios, also known as "The Exiles" were people, ranging from politicians to ordinary civilians that fled the Free Territory of South America both during and after the Argentine Civil War. The Exiles escaped across South America, mostly to Brazil and Chile (before it was partitioned), and it is rumored that in every South American country there is a minority of Exiles living in them.

## **The beginning**

It is thought that around late Winter, 1925 was when the first people became Exilios, as borders began to be clogged, first in Southern Chile with fighting rampant between anarchists and loyalists but soon across all countries that bordered Argentina. Cities like Buenos Aires became chaotic zones of conflict between the military and rioters, protestors and strikers, especially after riots broke out around the same time in Buenos Aires and Córdoba resulted in thousands of displaced people from their homes, many of which sought asylum in Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay or Bolivia. By Spring tens of thousands of people were waiting at the border while the Argentinian military was ineffective at stopping the anarchist insurgency from spreading into Central Argentina. Sometime later both Paraguay and Brazil invaded and annexed border regions of Argentina, as those regions were depopulated and both nations hoped to use that land to resettle refugees, while Chile and Bolivia were unwilling to mobilize for war, but instead both nations closed their borders in late April to early May, leaving thousands stranded at the border who wanted to escape possible persecution and war. Many of these people included not only capitalists, anti-socialist politicians but also the clergy, bishops and those associated with the church (it is important to note that most of these people were given asylum, but regular civilians weren't afforded the same privilege).

By Summer (June-August) the borders were swelling with people, even in Chile and Bolivia as both countries previously closed their borders but refugees kept crossing the border. While thousands were settled in regions occupied by Paraguay and Brazil it wasn't enough. More and more people came as the anarchists approached Northern Argentina. Uruguay on the 16th of July closed their borders, while Paraguay and Brazil followed suit 2 weeks after. The situation still stayed fresh and inflamed especially as in late July the Argentinian government fled their home country for Brazil which was a major indicator that the war was lost for loyalist forces, and Buenos Aires was taken a month later.

By September, all of the Argentine mainland was under control of anarchist militias including the chaotic border regions which housed thousands of crowded individuals. Since the takeover of the anarchists no South American state reopened their border to their southern neighbor again. While talks were held with some people wanting the borders to open just to allow the refugees to come in, the governments that bordered the FToSA refused to do so as it would be recognizing anarchist authority over the Argentinian lands. Hundreds crossed into the border illegally, but many were unwilling to make such a daring trip, and decided to stay in the FToSA, to eventually resettle from the north all over. However, those capitalists and anti-socialist politicians who were also stuck at the border were eventually caught and either executed or sent into a labor camp. It is estimated that over 50,000 people crossed the border as refugees (including over 15,000 who crossed illegally) while another 75,000 were stranded inside of the country to eventually settle into the FToSA.