An Italian court sentenced 24 former South American military and police officials to life in prison for their role in Operation Condor, the coordinated campaign of political repression that disappeared and murdered tens of thousands across the region in the 1970s and 80s. They were found guilty of abducting and killing 23 Italian citizens during the dictatorships in Bolivia, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay.
The verdict reverses a 2017 ruling that had acquitted many of them. Only one defendant, former Uruguayan naval officer Jorge Troccoli, was present in Italy; the rest were sentenced in absentia. Families of the victims described the ruling as an emotional and long-overdue victory after decades of seeking justice.
MATIAS JOFRE 