On Testimonial Itineraries: The Historical Construction Process of a Former Gendarme as a Witness of Operativo Independencia (Tucumán, Argentina, 1975-1977)

Abstract

This article seeks to address the historical construction process as witnessed by a former gendarme, Omar Eduardo Torres, who between 1976 and 1977 was sent on three occasions into the operations area of Operativo Independencia (Tucumán, 1975-1977). We approach it in analytical terms as an “anomalous” case, because Torres is one of the few members of a security force to have systematically and continuously recounted what happened during the dictatorship, from the recovery of democracy to the present, both in administrative and judicial bodies. Indeed, most military personnel maintained an unswerving “pact of silence” regarding the crimes committed during State terrorism in Argentina. This case shows us that not all those who were part of the repressive apparatus were considered “genocidal”, “repressive” or repentant. Instead, we will argue that forms of classification depend on a complex and conflictive web of local power relations, in which provincial human rights activism has played a central role.