Argentina finds 140th stolen grandchild
The Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo, a prominent human rights organization in Argentina, announced the restoration of the identity of their 140th grandchild, marking a significant milestone in their decades-long quest to locate children kidnapped during the military dictatorship from 1976 to 1983. At a press conference, Estela de Carlotto, the organization's leader, revealed that the identified grandson, now 48, was born in 1977 at the clandestine detention center known as La Escuelita in Bahía Blanca. His parents, Graciela Alicia Romero and Raúl Eugenio Metz, were abducted in December 1976.
Adriana Metz, the identified man's older sister, shared her lifelong search for her brother, having learned of his existence as a child. The Grandmothers estimate that around 500 children were stolen from their parents during the dictatorship, which resulted in the kidnapping, torture, and murder of approximately 30,000 individuals, a figure disputed by the current ultra-liberal government led by President Javier Milei.
The organization, founded in 1977, has played a crucial role in reuniting families separated by the regime's systematic abduction of children. The identified grandson was illegally adopted and raised under a false identity after his mother was killed shortly after giving birth. His reunion with Adriana, facilitated by a voluntary DNA test, represents a new chapter for their family.
Despite the progress made, the Grandmothers estimate that around 300 individuals, now aged between 45 and 49, remain unaware of their true origins. The identification of the 140th grandchild highlights the ongoing impact of the dictatorship's human rights violations and the necessity of pursuing truth and justice for the victims and their families.
