junta

Junta is a term used to describe a government formed by a committee of leaders, typically military officers, that comes to power after seizing control of the state. The word originates from Spanish, where junta means "meeting" or "assembly"; in English, it refers to a ruling body that governs in the aftermath of a coup. A junta is usually characterized by centralized executive authority, suspension or bypassing of normal constitutional procedures, and reliance on security forces to maintain order. Juntas are often described as provisional or transitional, claiming to restore order or implement reforms, though some endure for years and become de facto dictatorships. Political opposition and civil liberties are frequently restricted, media control is common, and legal legitimacy is often contested domestically and internationally.

Historically, juntas have been notable in Latin America during the late 20th century, such as the Chilean Junta established after the 1973 coup and the Argentine Military Junta that led the National Reorganization Process from 1976 to 1983. Similar structures appeared in other countries following coups, and the form has varied from collegial committees to single leaders wielding broad power. The term is also used in non-political contexts to describe any committee or board that governs or coordinates activity, such as a "junta directiva" or administrative board.