The adjective malevo is used in different ways in several South American countries. In Argentina , the term is used to refer to a brawler or bully ; in fact, it is the shortening of the word "malevolent." The use of this qualification was more common in ancient times, when this attitude or behavior was attributed to those who lived in the outskirts of Buenos Aires .
For example: “He entered the bar with a thuggish air but the patrons pushed him out” , “Emboldened by the alcohol, the thug began to look for a fight” , “I don't want any thugs here: either behave respectfully or leave” .
In Argentina , Bolivia and Uruguay , meanwhile, a thief or vandal can also be referred to as a malevo: "The policeman chased the malevo for several blocks until he managed to catch him" , "I don't know who the malevo who broke the school windows was" , "There are several malevos in the neighborhood who worry the neighbors" .
“Malevo” is also used as a nickname . In this sense we can name Osmar “Malevo” Ferreyra , a former Argentine footballer who had a distinguished professional career. “Malevo” played for clubs in his country such as River Plate , San Lorenzo and Independiente , among others, and also played for teams abroad such as CSKA Moscow of Russia , PSV Eindhoven of Holland , FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk of Ukraine and Panetolikos FC of Greece .
Mario “Malevo” Ferreyra , on the other hand, was an Argentine police commissioner who had numerous problems with the law , including accusations of murder. In 2008 , when the National Gendarmerie went to arrest him as part of a case investigating him for the disappearance of people during the military dictatorship, he committed suicide in front of TV cameras, at the age of sixty-three.
His full name was Mario Oscar Ferreyra, and he was born in 1945. He participated in the state terrorism that swept the country in the 1970s, when he worked for the National Police, fighting against leftist groups in the province of Tucumán. When democracy was restored, Malevo became police chief and since then his name appeared in many cases of suspicious deaths of alleged criminals.
The accusations were for human rights violations in the context of the unfortunate military dictatorship that took place between March 1976 and December 1983. Another name by which the dictatorship is known is the National Reorganization Process . Malevo Ferreyra's suicide was very shocking: in the middle of an interview in his own home, he took his firearm and shot himself in the head so that the National Gendarmerie would not arrest him.
The Crónica TV channel staff arrived at Malevo's home before the police , who had an arrest warrant. The accused decided to resist and then climbed to the top of a water tank. Before taking his life, he said goodbye to his wife, María de los Ángeles Núñez.
In the television field, Malevo is the name of a soap opera that aired on Channel 9 in Argentina in 1972. The theme song was composed by Jorge Sobral and is called Te llamaron Malevo . According to records, the show was a huge success, partly because it was on prime time at night. The cast included Rodolfo Bebán, Nora Massi, Gabriella Gilli, Oscar Ferrigno and Rolando Chaves. The script was by Abel Santa Cruz and the producer was Martha Reguera.
Malevo , finally, is an Argentine folk dance group that specializes in malambo . This group achieved international fame thanks to its participation in a television program in the United States .