Information on clandestine groups of soldiers called RETEN and CONDOR that allegedly mistreated and detained civilians between 1980 and 1983, including whether members of these groups were ever prosecuted for their activities [ARG27738.E]

Information on the CONDOR group is limited among the sources consulted by the DIRB. A 9 June 1993 IPS report states that a group of Chilean, Argentine and Uruguayan army officers called the Red Condor Group were involved in smuggling a Chilean former agent of General Pinochet out of the country. The same report states that the Red Condor Group was still engaging in clandestine activities in 1993 (ibid.). An 8 February 1996 Latin America Weekly Report article adds that the former Pinochet agent was expected to testify to the authorities about his activities with Chile's secret police, DINA, when the "Condor network" facilitated his clandestine cross-border escape. Please consult the two attached articles for additional information on Condor's involvement with the former Chilean agent.

Information on a clandestine group called RETEN could not be found among the sources consulted by the DIRB.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References


Inter Press Service (IPS). 9 June 1993. Raul Ronzoni. "Uruguay: Political Tension Mounts over Secret Army Operation." (NEXIS)

Latin America Weekly Report [London]. 8 February 1996. "Prats Murder Back to Haunt Pinochet and Also the Ghost of Berrios; Vanishing 'Evil Scientist' Was Murdered in Uruguay." (NEXIS)

Attachments


Inter Press Service (IPS). 9 June 1993. Raul Ronzoni. "Uruguay: Political Tension Mounts over Secret Army Operation." (NEXIS)

Latin America Weekly Report [London]. 8 February 1996. "Prats Murder Back to Haunt Pinochet and Also the Ghost of Berrios; Vanishing 'Evil Scientist' Was Murdered in Uruguay." (NEXIS)

Additional Sources Consulted


Americas Watch. April 1991. Truth and Partial Justice in Argentina.

Amnesty International Report. 1981-1984, 1997.

Amnesty International. July 1995. Argentina: The Right to the Full Truth.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. 1980-1983.

News from Americas Watch [New York]. 1990-1997.

Latinamerica Press [Lima]. 1989-1997.

Latin American Weekly Report [London]. 1989-1997.

Electronic sources: DIRB Databases, Global News Bank, Internet, REFWORLD (UNHCR database), World News Connection (WNC).