In a poignant announcement, the Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo revealed the discovery of the 138th grandchild, snatched from his parents during Argentina’s 1976-1983 dictatorship. This child, linked to political activists Marta Enriqueta Pourtalé and Juan Carlos Villamayor, was found after extensive genetic testing, highlighting their decades-long quest for truth and identity. The couple was abducted when Marta was eight months pregnant, with their child possibly born in the notorious ESMA detention center, where thousands suffered horrific abuses.
During a press conference in Buenos Aires, Abuelas President Estela de Carlotto shared emotional details about the couple’s tragic story. After their disappearance in 1976, only about a hundred of the over 5,000 political prisoners at ESMA survived. Eschewing tears, Carlotto noted, “This marks 138 cases resolved in these 47 years of unwavering search for truth and identity.” The organization has tirelessly sought the living descendants of those lost to state terror.
Manuel Gonçalves Granada, from the Abuelas Executive Board, stated that the newly identified grandchild is overwhelmed but ready to reunite with his family. This finding stemmed from a long investigation by the Comisión Nacional por el Derecho a la Identidad (CONADI) since 1999, which utilized genetic data from family members to confirm the identity. His older brother, Diego, shared his appreciation, describing the Abuelas as a source of national pride, strengthening the resolve for ongoing truth-seeking against state crimes.
Since the last grandchild was identified in July 2023, this discovery underlines continuous progress amidst political contradictions, especially under President Javier Milei, who has contested the established narratives of dictatorship-related disappearances. Carlotto expressed apprehension about the current government, noting that attacks on human rights institutions jeopardize ongoing restitution efforts: “This restitution is, once again, evidence of the consequences of state terrorism in the present,” she underscored, calling for urgent prioritization of human rights.
In summary, the Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo’s recent breakthrough underscores the persistence of human rights advocacy in Argentina, even in the face of governmental opposition. The heart-wrenching stories of stolen children serve as reminders of the atrocities of the past. Despite current challenges, the Abuelas remain steadfast in their commitment to recovering the identities of those lost to the cruelty of dictatorship.
The Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo announced the identification of the 138th grandchild taken during the 1976-1983 dictatorship in Argentina. This marks a significant development in their ongoing quest for truth. The individual is the son of two abducted activists, raising concerns about the current government’s stance on human rights.
The announcement of the 138th grandchild’s identity is a powerful testament to the enduring fight for truth and justice in Argentina. Despite government challenges, the Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo persist in their mission to reunite families separated by state atrocities, a reminder of the historical pain and the ongoing battle for human rights and dignity.
The Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo is a prominent human rights organization founded in the late 1970s, dedicated to finding children who were illegally taken from their parents during Argentina’s military dictatorship. Between 1976 and 1983, thousands of perceived political enemies faced abduction and subsequent disappearance. The Abuelas continue to seek justice and restitution for these children, strengthening their national and historical narrative against state-sponsored terror.
Original Source: batimes.com.ar
