After 78 days of searching, yesterday at midday Santiago Maldonado’s family learned that a body had been found in the Chubut river. We at CELS offer our support to them at this painful time and adhere to their request to wait until the proper procedures have been carried out. We also ask that people, in solidarity with the family, stop disseminating the images of the body that were irresponsibly and cruelly leaked in the city of Esquel.
It is time for all the branches of the state to fulfill their obligation to guarantee a serious, impartial and effective investigation that leads to discovering the truth and to justice.
For more information on this case, read about the follow-up report presented to the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances regarding the state response to Santiago Maldonado’s disappearance.
Update: On Friday, October 20, the family announced that the body found in the Chubut river was Santiago Maldonado’s.