Restitution of the identity of the 133th grandchild in Argentina

"Almost 40 years after the start of the longest democratic period in our history, we continue searching for our grandchildren every day. Each restitution reaffirms that the Argentine people stand with us and choose not to forget," stated the Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo Association of Argentina upon announcing the restitution of identity for 133 grandchildren born in captivity or kidnapped along with their parents during the civic-military dictatorship of 1976-1983.

At a press conference in Buenos Aires, the head of the Grandmothers, Estela de Carlotto, announced: "We found the son of Cristina Navajas and Julio Santucho, the grandson of Grandmother Nélida Navajas," who died in May 2012.

Miguel Santucho, brother of the 133rd grandchild, explained that “from the very first moment, he expressed a desire to meet us. He was looking for us, and he’s obviously happy and surprised by the magnitude of what he found. I think it will take him some time to process so much information, but I have a feeling that I’ve found a luminous being, truly special, and I have no doubt that we’ll be together for the rest of our lives because we sought each other out, we wanted to find each other, and the embrace we shared is forever.”

“My first thought was, and always will be, for my mother and grandmother, who continue to live on in me and in all these searches. I wouldn't be here without them,” Miguel Santucho continued. “My grandmother Nélida, who was an example and a role model for me, was not only for me but for many others in this society. Like all the Grandmothers, she was treated as if she were crazy, denied her existence, and even without knowing for sure if her grandchild was born, without knowing if it was a grandson or a granddaughter, she maintained that search through the worst of times. It is thanks to her that I can proudly say I am represented by the Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo.”

Julio Santucho, the father of the recovered grandson, remembered Cristina Navajas: “I know the ordeal she had to go through. That despite that she had the willpower to give birth to this child is wonderful; it’s a demonstration of her strong character.”

Cristina Navajas was born on September 27, 1949, in the city of Buenos Aires. She was kidnapped on July 13, 1976; she was two months pregnant. Testimonies from survivors revealed that she was detained in the clandestine detention centers "Automotores Orletti," "Proto Banco," and "Pozo de Banfield."

Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo continues their campaign to search for children born in captivity or kidnapped along with their parents.

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