although slavery was not abolished during rosas' rule, afro argentines had a positive image of him. he allowed them to gather in groups related to their african origin, and financed their activities. troop formations included many of them, because joining the army was one of the ways to become a free negro, and in many cases slave owners were forced to release them to strengthen the armies. there was an army made specifically of free negros, the "fourth battalion of active militia". the liberal policy towards slaves generated controversy with neighbouring brazil, because fugitive brazilian slaves saw argentina as a safe haven: they were recognized as free men at the moment they crossed the argentine borders, and by joining the armies they were protected from persecution of their former masters.