Argentine NGO identifies 139th baby stolen during military dictatorship: Video
The Argentine human rights organisation Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo has confirmed the identification of the 139th person abducted as a baby during the country’s military dictatorship from 1976 to 1983.
According to the group’s president, Estela de Carlotto, the individual is the daughter of Noemi Macedo and Daniel Inama, who were kidnapped in November 1977.
At the time of their disappearance, Macedo was six to seven months pregnant. Their daughter, born between January and February 1978, remains unnamed publicly until she consents to the release of her identity.
“Welcome, granddaughter 139… The truth about the crimes of the dictatorship continues to come to light. This is a collective struggle. The continuity of State policies is fundamental to ending crimes against humanity, such as the appropriations of our granddaughters and grandchildren,” de Carlotto said on January 21 during the announcement in Buenos Aires.
Argentina’s military regime, which came to power after a 1976 coup, systematically targeted its opponents through abductions, torture, and executions. Among the victims were pregnant women whose babies were taken at birth and illegally adopted by families aligned with the regime. At least 500 children are believed to have been stolen during the “Dirty War,” and many remain unaware of their true identities.
De Carlotto, whose organisation has spearheaded efforts to locate these children, has a personal connection to this cause. In 2014, she was reunited with her grandson, who had been taken from her daughter while she was detained during the dictatorship.
The man, then 36 years old, had approached authorities for a DNA test after questioning his identity. His case, like many others, was resolved using a national genetic database established to aid in such investigations.
