By Cintia Garcia

Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina— In a historic human rights trial, Argentina’s last dictator and 14 military officials were sentenced to prison for their role in Operation Condor. Former general and Argentine dictator from 1982-83, Reynaldo Bignone, 88-years-old, was sentenced to 20 years of prison. Bignone was found guilty for illicit association, kidnapping and the disappearance of more than 100 people. He is already serving life sentences for various human rights violations.

In addition, Uruguayan army colonel, Manuel Cordero Piacentini was sentenced for his crimes against humanity. Argentine former general, Santiago Riveros was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Miguel Angel Furci, Argentine intelligence officer was sentenced to 25 years for illegally arresting and torturing dozens. The sentences among the defendants ranged from 8 to 25 years in prison. Since the trial began, five defendants have died, including Jorge Rafael Videla, former head of Argentina’s first junta.

The case against the former military officials began in 2013 in the domestic court of Argentina. This case marks the first time a domestic court has tried ex-military officials. The claim was brought forth by the victim’s families. The verdicts are a milestone for those affected by Operation Condor because it is the first time the conspiracy has been proven to exist. The evidence presented included testimonies by the families, victims, and documents such as a declassified FBI cable from 1976. The prosecutors were able to piece together the coordinated operation through an overwhelming amount of documents from the United States and South American archives.

Operation Condor was a US backed plan created by South American dictators to eliminate opponents and leftist. The operation lasted from mid 1970s to the early 80s. The countries that created and enforced the operation were Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Bolivia, Uruguay, and Brazil. The South American countries would meet and use their police powers to track the opponents and leftist. The dissidents were captured, kidnapped, tortured and disappeared. Many of their remains continue to be unaccounted for. In addition, the children of the women who were kidnapped were taken away from their mothers and given to other families, such as military officials. According to UNESCO’s International Center for the Promotion of Human Rights, there were 376 Operation Condor victims.

In regards to the role of the United States during Operation Condor, President Obama has promised to release all documents and records. In a statement, President Obama announced, “I believe we have a responsibility to confront the past with honesty and transparency.”

For more information, please see:

ABC NEWS – Argentine Court Sentences Ex- Dictator for Operation Condor – 27 May 2016

BBC – Operation Condor: Landmark Human Rights Trial Reached Finale – 27 May 2016

The Guardian – Argentina’s Last Military Dictator Jailed Over Role in Operation Condor – 27 May 201

Washington Post – A Look at the Operation Condor Conspiracy in South America – 27 May 2016

By Kaitlyn Degnan
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

QUITO, Ecuador — Ecuador was hit with a 7.8 magnitude earthquake on the evening of Saturday, April 16. It was the largest earthquake in Ecuador since 1979. The epicenter of the quake hit the coastal city of Muisne. The initial quake was followed by a series of aftershocks, the largest of which reached 5.6. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has announced that any threat of tsunami has “mostly passed.”

President Correra was attending a conference at the Vatican over the weekend when the earthquake struck. He has cut short his trip and is returning to Ecuador. He has declared a national emergency, and a state of emergency in 6 of the country’s 24 province, giving the government expanded powers. 10,000 soldiers and 3,500 police officers have been dispatched to affected areas.  Venezuela, Mexico and Colombia are sending personnel and supplies, and President Correra has requested international assistance.

Pedernales, a beachy tourist area has been “devastated.” 135 aftershocks occurred in that area alone. Vice President Jorge Glas travelled to the area on Sunday morning, reporting that “people [are] trapped in various places and we are starting rescue operations.” Pedernales’ mayor Gabriel Alcivar called the situation “catastrophic.”

In the capitol city of Quito, buildings swayed for 40 seconds and people rushed out into the streets. The quake knocked out electricity and cell phone reception in several areas. Rock slides were reported on several roads leading to the city, but no deaths were reported in the city.

As of about noon on Sunday, 233 people were reported to have died, and about 1,500 more injured in the quake. That number is expected to rise as rescue efforts continue.

Ecuador is no stranger to earthquakes. The country sits in the Pacific’s “Ring of Fire,” which sees frequent seismic activity. Seven earthquakes with a magnitude of 7.0 or greater have struck the country since 1990. The Ecuadorian earthquake follows deadly 6.2 and 7.0 earthquakes in Japan earlier in the week.

 

For more information, please see:

BBC – Ecuador earthquake of 7.8 magnitude kills dozens – 17 April 2016

CNN – Ecuador earthquake: Death toll jumps to 233; more than 1,500 wounded – 17 April 2016

New York Times – Earthquake in Ecuador Kills more than 230, President Says – 17 April 2016

Reuters – Earthquake kills 233 in Ecuador, devastates coast zone – 17 April 2016

TeleSur – UPDATE: 233 Died in the Powerful Ecuador Earthquake – 17 April 2016

Voice of America – Death Toll in Ecuador Quake Triples; 233 Killed – 17 April 2016 

 

 

By Kaitlyn Degnan
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BOGOTA, Colombia — Colombian authorities have arrested a number of high ranking members of the Colombian military for involvement in the false positive killing scandal, including General Mario Montoya. Montoya is the former commander of the National Army. He is facing accusations of war crimes for his complicity in the “killing and promoting of killing of thousands of civilians.” He faces 40 years of imprisonment.

During his time as commander, the Colombian army is thought to have engaged in a number of extrajudicial killings – killing civilians and then reporting the deaths as paramilitary casualties. Troops were rewarded with bonuses and vacation days for high paramilitary body counts. At least 3,000 – 4,000 civilians are thought to have been killed between 2002 and 2008. Montoya was allegedly aware of the false positive killings, and failed to take any action or report it. 800 members of the Colombian security forces have been convicted of involvement in false positive killings, and hundreds more are still under investigation.

Montoya was detained on March 29 after being called for questioning by prosecutors. Prosecutors announced an intention to detain Montoya following the arrest of General Henry Torres for the deaths of a father and son, Daniel Torres Arciniegas (38) and Roque Julio Torres (16). They were killed in 2007 and reported as guerillas killed in battle in Casanare.  Torres was in charge of the military unit stationed there at the time of the killings.

Around the same time as the arrests, NGO Human Rights Watch released a report warning that the upcoming peace agreement between the Colombian government and FARC could provide impunity and allow perpetrators of false positive killings to escape justice. The cases would fall under the jurisdiction of the special peace tribunals. Under the upcoming peace agreement, those tried by the tribunals who confess will not face jail time and instead face a maximum sentence of eight years of labor.

Jose Miguel Vivanco, the Americas director at Human Rights Watch, has called the agreement “a checkmate against justice.”

 

For more information please see:

Colombia Reports – Colombia general arrested, former army chief called for interrogation over killing civilians – 28 March 2016

Colombia Reports – Colombia justice deal could grant soldiers impunity – 28 March 2016

Guardian – Colombia arrests army general decade after killing of civilians – 28 March 2016

Human Rights Watch – Colombia: FARC Pact Risks Impunity for ‘False-Positives’ – 28 March 2016

Human Rights Watch Analysis – Colombia: Prosecution of False Positive Cases under the Special Jurisdiction for Peace – 28 March 2016

Latin America News Dispatch – Human Rights Watch Warns of Impunity Concerning Colombia’s ‘False Positives’ – 28 March 2016

Voice of America – Colombia Arrests Army General for Extrajudicial Killings – 28 March 2016

Colombia Reports – Why Colombia’s former army chief is facing 40 years in prison – 29 March 2016 

 

By Kaitlyn Degnan
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

CARACAS, Venezuela — The Opposition-controlled National Assembly of Venezuela has passed an amnesty law which would free a number of imprisoned opposition activists and end the legal cases being brought against others. President Nicolas Maduro, who heads the government-supported Socialist Party, has promised to strike down the law.

Venezuela’s constitution does not give the president veto powers. However, following the passing of a law by the National Assembly, Maduro has 10 days to sign the law into effect, or it is deferred to the Supreme Court. The Court then has 15 days to make a ruling on the law.

The Court is notorious for siding with the Executive, and has shot down most of what the National Assembly has tried to do since taking office in January, including allowing Maduro to rule by decree on issues related to the economy.

In order to declare the amnesty constitutional, the court must find that the beneficiaries of the law have committed crimes against humanity, or otherwise violated human rights.

Over 70 political prisoners would be freed by the bill, including Leopoldo Lopez. Lopez is considered by many to be Venezuela’s highest profile political prisoner. He was jailed in 2014 for allegedly spurring protests which resulted in the deaths of 40 people. He was convicted of “public incitement to violence and criminal association” last year, in a trial which has been called a “complete travesty of justice” by Human Rights Watch.

Maduro and his supporters deny that Lopez and others like him are political prisoners, instead calling them, “imprisoned politicians.”  Speaking on television hours before the bill was passed, Maduro said: “Laws to protect terrorists and criminals will not get past me, no matter what they do.”

Opposition politicians have stated that no one who would be released by the law has been accused of homicide.

 

For more information, please see:

Associated Press – Venezuela Opposition Passes Bill to Free Imprisoned Activist – 29 March 2016

Financial Times – Venezuelan congress passes amnesty law – 30 March 2016

Media with Conscience – Venezuela congresses passes bill to free jailed activists – 30 March 2016

Reuters – Venezuela parliament approves amnesty law, Maduro vows to veto – 30 March 2016 

UPI – Venezuela’s Maduro vows to veto amnesty bill passed by National Assembly – 30 March 2016

Wall Street Journal – Venezuelan President Nicolas Mauro Vows That Amnesty Law Won’t Stand – 30 March 2016