Argentina: Red Ridinghood & the Wolf

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Every morning the crowd gathers out side the stone mansion at 3036 Calle French: matrons with flowers, shabby grandmothers with pleas for money, knots of angry, middle-aged men. "If Perón were in power, the poor people would not be suffering the way they do," complains one. "We want Perón," says another. "He's the only one who can save us." Then the talk breaks off. A white automobile drives up. A slender, sexy platinum blonde steps out, pausing in her swift walk to the door only to accept a bunch of flowers. "When will the general return?" asks a woman, tearfully. "Soon," replies Isabel Perón, 35. "Soon he will be in Buenos Aires."

Only Peronistas would believe her. And that is just what the people crowding on the Calle French are—still waiting patiently, along with 3,000,000 other faithful Peronistas throughout Argentina, for El Lider's return. Isabelita has given them welcome encouragement. The former chorine whom Peron took up with in 1956 shortly after his exile and married in 1961, arrived in Buenos Aires last fall with twelve suitcases, $30,000 worth of jewels and a Spanish hairdresser for a duenna—and sparked angry riots between Peronistas and anti-Peronistas. After an emotional 8,000-mile tour of the country, she settled into her present routine. From 9 to 1 she receives delegations from near and far, gives pesos to the needy, tells them all: "I am the little mother [madrecita] of all Peronistas. I only wish their union."

Not every Peronista has been glad to see her. Perón sent her over partly to whip into line those faction chiefs who want to move on without the aging strongman, notably tough Augusto ("El Lobo") Vandor, who since her return has taken over the giant General Confederation of Labor, historic citadel of Peronismo. Perón obviously hoped that Isabelita would prove as dynamic and domineering as his previous wife, the fabulous Evita—and Isabelita has rallied 14 of the 52 Peronista Deputies in Parliament and 18 of the 62 Peronista unions, claims 20% of the rank and file as well.

Her next big test comes at the provincial elections in Mendoza next month, when she and the neo-Peronistas affiliated with Vandor should roll up an impressive vote. In preparation, her lieutenants were busy last week planning a "national assembly of Peronismo" to be held in Tucumán, which is expected to rally 3,500 delegates to her support. El Lobo (The Wolf) is still unimpressed. Commented one photographer as he watched Isabelita click into the house on the Calle French: "There goes the Little Red Ridinghood that El Lobo is going to eat."