Aquiles Garcia was born in January 21, 1927 in Goya, Chaco, Argentina where his grandfather owned half the town. In 1934, Garcia moved with his parents and siblings to Buenos Aires, where he was taken in by his maternal aunt, Esther Larralde de Porta. His aunt was a professor in the Normal School, so he received an excellent education before earning his Bachelor of Arts degree. Garcia served four years in the Argentine Army, the last part under Juan Perón.