Political echoes of Latin American ‘dirty wars’ continue

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Argentina, Chile and Peru were just some of the Latin American countries to be blighted by dictatorships and ‘dirty wars’ during the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s, and at least some of the perpetrators of crimes and disappearances committed during those years are facing legal accusations and being brought to justice.

In Buenos Aires, Former army chief Luciano Benjamin Menendez faces charges of kidnapping, torturing and killing left-wing militants during Argentina’s 1976-83 military dictatorship. He goes on trial today in the northern city of Cordoba, writes the Associated Press.

In Chile, judge Víctor Montiglio has ordered the detention of 98 intelligence agents active during the rule of Agustin Pinochet in connection with the kidnapping of 42 political prisoners in 1975, writes El Pais.

And in Peru, the former general who revealed the existence of a Peruvian military death squad testified Monday that he is convinced ex-President Alberto Fujimori was behind two massacres, but acknowledged he has no direct evidence. Read more...

-- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City