The organisation, Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo, announced yesterday that they have found the 118th grandchild abducted during Argentina’s last military dictatorship.
Clik here to view.
Martín was the son of Stella Maris Montesano and Jorge Ogando, disappeared in 1976.
The grandchild, identified as Martín, is the son of Stella Maria Montesano and Jorge Ogando, both kidnapped and murdered by the paramilitary police in 1976. Stella was eight months pregnant at the moment of her disappearance, and through witness testimonies, the Abuelas were able to determine that Martín was born on 5th December, 1976, in the clandestine detention centre known as the ‘Pozo de Banfield.
Martín had doubts about his true identity and had arranged for a DNA test to be carried out last March.
Delia Giovanola de Calitano, Martín’s grandmother, is one of the 12 founders of the organisation, which is devoted to finding the kidnapped children of victims of the dictatorship.
“I only have thanks and emotion… I’m not always like this, it’s emotion and tears. I seem like a blubbering grandmother, and it’s true!” said Giovanola de Calitano.
She described the unexpected phone call she had with Martín, who current lives abroad: “The most pleasing thing was receiving a call from my new grandson. I couldn’t believe it. He agreed to call me again later and I asked ‘Are you sure?’ and he replied ‘Why not? You’re my grandmother!” I’m very happy.”
President of the Abuelas, Estela de Carlotto added: “Delia has walked the earth and the smile she has now will last forever. Our perseverance, persistence, stubbornness and love have been rewarded. This is achieved when there is support from the State. Memory, truth, and justice until we find all the missing grandchildren!”
Virginia
The disappeared couple had another child, Virginia, who was born in 1973 and raised by her grandmother Delia after her they had been kidnapped. Virginia was an active figure alongside her grandmother in the long search for her missing parents and brother.
After a long battle with depression, Virginia took her own life in 2011, but it was her blood sample left in the national Genetic Data Bank that led to the confirmation of her brother Martín’s identity.
The post Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo Recover 118th Missing Grandchild appeared first on The Argentina Independent.
