Arigón’s remains were found on July 30 in the 14th Infantry Battalion in Montevideo and identified on September 24, 47 years after his disappearance.
During the wake, Graciela Montes de Oca, a member of the organization, expressed the satisfaction that this discovery means and the reaffirmation of the commitment to the search for the missing: “Satisfaction, which gives us more strength, reaffirms the commitment we have. in the search, in continuing to search for everyone, and despite the time that has passed, because we waited 47 years for him, to be able to reinstate him, we are going to continue on that path,” he said.
Montes de Oca highlighted the support received from society, even from those who did not know the disappeared. «I think he sees the justice of what the cause is, the search, the reintegration to the family, since they were parents, workers, students, who dreamed of a better world, and that was really their fault (…) And that everyone is giving you a hug, showing their support, the commitment they have to reintegrate them, shows us that there is no fear, that on the contrary, what we have is a lot of love moving forward, to continue that search,” he stated.
The forensic anthropologist in charge of the excavations indicated that it is likely that there are at least two other bodies buried near Arigón’s body. Montes de Oca assured that “the only certainty and confirmation will be the work that they come and continue to do in Battalion 14. We hope that not only them will be there, but that there will be more colleagues.”
Regarding the current political context and the electoral campaign, Montes de Oca clarified that the organization seeks to ensure that the search for the missing is not mixed with the political situation: “I believe that the search for our relatives corresponds to everyone. In itself, to the government, to the Executive Branch, it does not matter who is there (…) It does not matter which party is in government at that moment.
However, she was emphatic in pointing out that the firmness they have demanded in the decisions of the Executive Branch has not yet been achieved. «We know that there is no firm voice, that the orders that should have been given were not suddenly given (…) We hope that they are carried out, which is what we have requested, that they give those orders so that the information appears, which is what we have requested. “we need,” said Montes de Oca, and added that they will continue to claim and search for their loved ones, “because just as I tell you that we have been waiting for Arigón for 47 years, there are companions who are already going to be 50, who we are waiting for.” and more.
Luis Eduardo Arigón Castel was a prominent union activist and politician, member of the Uruguayan Federation of Employees of Commerce and Industry (FUECI), the National Workers Convention and the Communist Party of Uruguay. He was arrested on June 13, 1977 by repressive forces and remained missing until his remains were found. The tribute at the University of the Republic takes place this Wednesday until 1 p.m., followed by a private funeral.
