While I doubt that crackdowns on dissent will descend into the kind of depths Argentina saw with Videla, there's no doubt that the courts, gendarmerie, and intelligence services are being used to intimidate opponents.
On that note, thank you for posting news of the UN resolution calling for Milagro Sala's immediate release (and compensation for moral damages). I left my two cents worth on earlier this afternoon here, if you're interested: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141610382#post1
43 deaths, for a brazenly political - and illegal - operation, and of course all we heard from corporate media (even in Argentina) was crickets. Can you imagine the commotion that would have ensued if 43 officers had died on Cristina Kirchner's watch, under those kinds of circumstances?
On a personal note, I should mention that my father was one of the 15,000 scientists and engineers who left Argentina during the disastrous 1966-2002 period mentioned above. It was, I understand, pretty much the way you described it: scientific resources were decimated, buildings were shuttered (or severely neglected), and by and large the only research activities that flourished, were those that catered to the elite such as private medicine and (for landowners) agronomy.
Most other areas of research either withered or were replaced by imports. That's where the country appears to be headed toward again, sadly.
Thanks as always for your insights, Judi. Sharing is caring. 
Edit history
= new reply since forum marked as read