The regime employed various methods to carry out its extermination campaign. Many victims were taken to secret detention centers, where they were subjected to brutal torture, including electric shocks, beatings, and psychological manipulation. Some were killed on the spot, while others were transported to remote areas, where they were executed and buried in unmarked graves.
Argentina has also taken steps to hold those responsible accountable, with several high-ranking officials and military personnel convicted and sentenced for their roles in the extermination campaign.
As we reflect on this painful chapter in Argentine history, we must honor the memories of the victims and their families, and continue to push for truth, justice, and reparation. By learning from the past, we can work towards a more just and equitable society, where such atrocities can never happen again.
The consequences of this dark period in Argentine history are still felt today. Many families and communities continue to seek justice and reparation for the atrocities committed. In 2007, the Argentine government officially acknowledged the crimes committed during the dictatorship and established the National Commission on the Disappearance of Persons (CONADEP).
The military regime, led by Jorge Videla, Roberto Aramburu, and Emilio Massera, among others, implemented a policy of "desaparecer" (disappearance), which involved the forced abduction, torture, and murder of suspected left-wing activists, students, intellectuals, and civilians. The victims were often accused of being subversives, communists, or terrorists, but many were simply caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Estimates suggest that between 10,000 to 30,000 people were killed or disappeared during this period, with many more arrested, tortured, or forced into exile. The victims included not only Argentine citizens but also immigrants, students, and activists from other countries.