Fuenteovejuna

On September 7, 1983, it was officially reported that on that day, as a consequence of operations carried out following the death of the Army General and Intendant of Santiago, General Carol Urzúa, two confrontations had occurred with members of the MIR implicated in those events.

Initially, it was stated that the confrontation had originated when CNI agents, who were conducting a routine patrol, accidentally discovered three suspicious individuals at the corner of Calle Visviri and Fleming in the eastern sector of Santiago.

They allegedly responded to the order to halt with gunfire and ran to take refuge in a house on Calle Fuenteovejuna, from where they continued firing at the agents, who received reinforcements from Carabineros and Investigaciones.

Shortly after, an explosion allegedly occurred inside the dwelling when the individuals were burning documentation, resulting in the death of one of them. The remaining two, in a suicidal action, allegedly emerged firing and were killed.

The following day, another official version appeared in the press, which, unlike the first, indicated that the confrontation occurred when the forces arrived at the property where the victims were taking refuge, the address of which they had obtained through confessions from others involved in the assassination of General Carol Urzúa.

On this occasion, it was noted that the houses in the surrounding area had been evacuated.

In reality, the events occurred differently. The security agents were aware that members of the MIR were in hiding at the property. Following the assassination of the General, an action against them was planned; therefore, a large number of security agents, including members of the CNI and other services, were gathered.

After other actions carried out that same day, which included the detention of persons, they proceeded to the property.

At that location, they installed a .50 caliber machine gun that immediately began firing. Only after having done so for several minutes were the occupants asked to surrender. In response, Sergio PEÑA DIAZ, a veterinarian by profession and a militant of the MIR who had entered the country clandestinely, came out with his hands on the back of his neck.

As he approached the front gate, two agents shot him at close range with submachine guns, causing his death.

These facts, known to the Commission through the account of an eyewitness to all of them, allow it to reach the conviction that Sergio Peña died as a result of a political execution by CNI agents, considering his death a human rights violation for which state agents are responsible.

Following the death of Sergio Peña, Lucía Orfilia VERGARA VALENZUELA, a militant of the MIR who had entered the country clandestinely and was inside the house, fired outward, immediately causing the agents to resume their attack; they also launched a flare that caused the house to catch fire.

The last person remaining inside the house, Arturo Jorge VILAVELLA ARAUJO, an engineer by profession and a militant of the MIR who had also entered the country clandestinely, died burned to death.

Given the true purpose of the operation, as was demonstrated, the Commission considers that these last two persons must also be considered victims of political execution.