What is "montoneras"

The Montoneras originally were known as the armed civilian, paramilitary groups who organized in the 19th century during the wars of independence from Spain in Latin America. For instance, they played an important role in the Argentine Civil War, as well as other Latin American countries during the 19th century, generally operating in rural areas.

In the 20th century, the term was applied to some insurgent groups in countries of Central and South America. Generally these were paramilitary groups composed of persons from a locality who provided armed support to a particular cause or leader. In the late 20th century, the leftists guerrillas Montoneros in Argentina adopted a name related to the 19th century militants.