Jose de San Martin

José de San Martín remains Argentina's most indispensable liberator, having orchestrated military campaigns that secured independence for Argentina, Chile, and Peru. Achieving this required crossing the Andes in 1817 with over 5,000 troops—a logistical feat that outpaces #2 Eva Perón's political influence in scale of tangible military impact. His strategy of bypassing fortifications led to decisive victories like Chacabuco, which freed Chile in just 42 days. San Martín's decision to cede command to Simón Bolívar at Guayaquil in 1822 ensured unity against Spanish forces, a move that reflects a selflessness unmatched by any other figure on this list. His legacy endures in Argentina's national identity, with over 200 statues honoring him across the continent.