Hipólito Jesús Paz

Hipólito Jesús Paz, widely known as Tuco, was a lawyer, diplomat, and writer. He graduated from the University of Buenos Aires with a gold medal and became active in the nationalist Radical group FORJA before joining Peronism. At thirty-two he became foreign minister, serving from 1949 to 1951. Perón then sent him to Washington as ambassador as the two governments sought to improve their often difficult relationship. ¹

His work extended beyond formal exchanges with the State Department. Following the failed revolt and bombing in Buenos Aires in June 1955, Paz discussed American press coverage with Assistant Secretary Henry Holland and considered approaching Cardinal Francis Spellman about Argentina's conflict with the Church. Holland suggested that a private meeting might help while explaining that the U.S. government would not intervene with church officials. ²

The same meeting addressed blocked remittances of American companies' profits. When Holland pressed for an earlier, tangible step, Paz said he would write to Perón. ²

After Argentina's return to democracy, Paz again served abroad, in Greece under Raúl Alfonsín and in Portugal under Carlos Menem. He also participated in the Argentine Council for International Relations, wrote short stories, and published memoirs of his public and private life. Tango and literature remained important interests alongside diplomacy. He died in Buenos Aires in 2013, aged ninety-six. ¹