Tuesday, June 27, 2023
50 YEARS OLD ; These are the years that this June 27, 2023 marks the outburst of our freedoms, rights and Democracy.
Unfortunately we are not unique in the world.
Even in the present, we are witnessing it, insane narcissists arrogate the right of authoritarianism by applying force and the most atrocious tools such as torture, death and disappearances.
Under and on behalf of the "National Security Act" with the consent and advice of the United States; creating "The Condor Plan", supervised and mandated by the CIA, (as confirmed by documents unarchived in the Pentagon) on June 27, 1973 the main hierarchs of the Uruguayan Armed Forces with the exception of the National Navy that opposed it at first instance, there was a coup d'état in Uruguay.
President Juan María Bordaberry dissolves the National Parliament by decree. Once the Armed Forces were dissolved, (National Army and Air Force) they overthrew Bordaberry and took the "Presidential Command". In the first instance the National Navy opposes.
It should be specified that it was not the only coup in the country's history. They were also lived in the early years of the 1900s. But that of 1973 has still left cracks, traces and consequences today.
From an integrated society, today we have a fragmented society.
The wounds are terrible. More than 160 disappeared in a country of three million 500 thousand inhabitants, including children.
Today denied data comes to light but that history keeps perplexed. And makes them undeniable.
Data that bristles the soul.
As a journalist, it has been my turn to interview "one and the other". You have to have a "stomach" and professionalism to be impartial and accept the facts when reporting.
The Journalist has the ethical obligation (compared to the Doctor) of not denying the word or the information of anyone or anyone.
Those who today point to the Journalist who worked in years of Dictatorship , must know how to differentiate with absolute clarity those who many times, even risking their lives, (as in my personal case, knowing that I was being watched) were not obedient or support the regime established from the DISSOLUTION OF THE CHAMBERS. The torture, the terror, lasted 13 years. We lived in fear even though we had no political or union activity. There was no free thought and could not be.
It was not exclusive to be on the left; it was enough to not support the Coup and defend Democracy to be detained, until they decided for the life of the prisoner. Thousands were: workers, students, professionals. So much so that in a barracks, soldiers said: - STOP, NO ONE IS GOING TO STAY LIKE THIS!
Some detainees, the least, were released. Others processed, without any cause, and others disappeared. Many managed to leave the country and go into exile in Europe, Mexico and other countries.
There are emblematic cases of the POLITICAL LEADERS, Gutierrez Ruiz and Zelmar Michellini who, escaping from the dictatorial regime, went into exile in Argentina.
Zelmar Michelini and Hector Jose Gutierrez Ruiz.
The nationalist leader Wilson Ferreira Aldunate traveled first, after a memorable speech in the Senate, to Buenos Aires. Alerted by Raúl Alfonsín (President of the Argentine Republic 1983-1989) that he would be detained by the Argentine Intelligence Services, he left that country into exile in London.
During the military period, supported by renowned civilians, the so-called "Plan Condor" worked . A joint repressive system devised by the CIA, with the Armed Forces of Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.
HOW DID THE COUP D'ETAT ORIGINATE?
In 1973 President Juan María Bordaberry dissolved the National Parliament by decree. This decision gives way to the command and seizure of Power of the Joint Forces (thus designated the three Military Forces).
There are various readings and interpretations. For those of us who are on the path of objectivity and truth, we can affirm without fear of being wrong, that it was not as stated by its "defenders or interested parties" to liquidate the "Guerrilla" born with the "Cañeros de Artigas" and deployed by the Tupamaros National Movement (MLN).
Said group in effect committed crimes, kidnapped, murdered and stole. Thus, a political and social destabilization occurred in the country. But said Movement was liquidated prior to the Coup d'état . In other words: the reason given for breaking with the democratic system was not true. Everything fell. The Tupamaros served their sentences (they were mercilessly treated with hatred and torture being applied to them). The Movimiento de Liberación Nacional conceived that it would come to power through an armed uprising. His idealism to establish an egalitarian social regime failed; but history showed them and opened the door to presiding over the State through the vote. In 2010 Jose Mujica; known as "El Pepe"; MLN guerrilla, imprisoned and tortured (one of the so-called "of the cistern"; because he spent six months confined in a cistern) was elected President of the Republic by the Broad Front in 2010* He ruled until 2015, winning important social reforms. He was also Senator of the Republic.
With the dictatorship, freedoms were cut short. Any citizen could be arrested. There were "raids" in the best fascist style; a certain haircut was imposed, clothing for students and public officials and it was compulsory until "before eating a cake" to sing the National Anthem!. A journalist from the newspaper "El Día" in a coverage of the inauguration of a service at the Pereyra Rossel Hospital did not sing the National Anthem. The consequence was exile.
Many of us took risks, but I think unconsciousness or denial won us over.
A psychological defense mechanism.
The walls of Montevideo wore phrases like: "THE LAST ONE TO TURN OFF THE LIGHT". Terror had set in.
In the common memory are the requests for personal documentation on public roads, transport passengers forced to get off and be checked, the military on horseback and tanks through the streets...
I would have thousands of words to explain and count. It is not my intention here to review each fact or event with historical rigor. I turn the memory here and share it. Mainly in case a colleague comes to this Blog and mainly for my followers who are mostly foreigners. It is good that they know this little piece of our history told from the personal (also lived in neighboring countries).
I am left with this humble semblance and the reaffirmation that they know that PRACTICING JOURNALISM IN THAT TIME DID NOT IMPLY SUPPORTING THE DICTATORIAL REGIME IMPOSED, as a Journalist of this new generation snapped at me on one occasion. I forgive her because she is sure she is very confused and comfortable in her management position in the Medium that she performs. A pity that he thinks so; she is an outstanding and respected professional. She must know the difference.
This Monday, June 26, the country has been waiting expectantly for the tributes. There are still conflicting, disparate voices.
Reconciliation is difficult when there was violence on both sides. This Monday the 26th I heard disparate testimonies. It is still difficult for a sector of society to understand the true meaning of this celebration.
Special press coverage and Solemn Acts in the Legislative Branch constituted emotional tributes that reaffirm the "Never Again".
What is written here and now is simple, I wrote it from memory and heart. I did not go to any source; except the appointment All this is in my memory.
Lack; much more remains. There are dozens of published publications. And I myself would have a lot to tell.
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Report to Líber Seregni (Founder of the Broad Front)
1916 - 2004
RETURN TO DEMOCRACY.
February 15, 1985
March 1, 1985 : A National holiday. Democracy returns but not power to the entire political system.
Even today we must continue building to recover rights, customs and most importantly!; know the truth and do full justice!
Yesterday I was thinking: I wish today's military ( who were not coup leaders ) understood that by releasing files and all the information that might exist about events in those years, they would make it known. There is no better way to overcome that horror past.
The MLN members served their sentences. And not exactly under humanitarian conditions.
Where are they? Where are the disappeared?; Where are the children , grown up today, who were taken from their mothers?
They sound like hammering every question; it is repeated and claimed. Justice is shouted!
How to heal and rebuild a society hiding the truth? It's not possible. The sick secret. Our society can be "sick" as long as there is impunity.
Currently, thanks to the professional work of anthropologists, bones are being found buried in military premises. Less than ten have been identified. Terrible.
Missing a lot!
Things and facts must be called by their name!
"El Espectador" of Colombia published at the time and the newspaper "El Día" of Uruguay collected:
"- the real danger that hangs over now in Uruguay is the predominance of the military over civilians."
That dominance lasted 13 cruel years.
Even today in full Democracy it is necessary to balance and understand that by having the Government you do not have Power.
No more no less.
Freedom is the most sublime right that Man possesses. Defending and caring for it is the task of each and every one.
Photo: in Guatemala; Presidential Coverage for Underlined; Channel 10.
My humble tribute to my dear colleague from Underlined-Channel 10, Carlos Pombo, Camera of various events mentioned here; including the crossing of Ferreira Aldunate to return to Uruguay; being this one detained and released once the National Elections were completed in 1985.
https://youtube.com/shorts/sa5MZitGlZU?feature=share
Wilson Ferreira Aldunate once released, referring to the Expiration Law.
*The Broad Front first competed in the Uruguayan National Elections of 1971 as the Christian Democratic Party (PDC).
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