The so-called Joint Command (CC) was an intelligence group that operated approximately between late 1975 and the end of 1976, and whose main objective was the repression of the Communist Party and the Communist Youth.

During this period, according to the Rettig Report, it was responsible for the disappearance of nearly 30 people. Other sources cite more than 70. The CC was formed mainly by agents belonging to the Air Force Intelligence Directorate (DIFA) and later counted on significant participation from personnel of the Carabineros Intelligence Directorate (DICAR).

It also relied, to a lesser extent, on the participation of agents from the Naval Intelligence Service (SIN) and some personnel from the Army Intelligence Directorate (DINE). In addition, members of the Chilean Investigative Police and civilians from Patria y Libertad collaborated in this Command.

Barracks of horror

Among the first torture centers, even before being called the Joint Command, was the Air War Academy (AGA), which operated from late 1973 until late 1974, formally under the charge of the Aviation Prosecutor's Office, which in practice coordinated closely with the Air Force Intelligence Service (SIFA).

General Bachelet and many FACH officers were tortured in its basement. José Luis Baeza Cruces, a member of the PC Central Committee who is currently forcibly disappeared, was also there. Fernando Matthei, Director of the AGA at the time, has been summoned to testify in this case.

In January 1975, when the SIFA vacated the AGA, it transferred the detainees to a house in Santiago, located in the Apoquindo sector, about two blocks from the Las Condes Municipality. This property was used as a secret detention center until March 1975 and was under the charge of agents from the recently created DIFA.

After that date, the DIFA offices moved to Juan Antonio Ríos N° 6, while the detainees were distributed between the Colina Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment ("Remo Cero") and a hangar inside the Cerrillos airport.

Another clandestine torture center is the one known as "Nido 20," located at Calle Santa Teresa 037, near the 20th stop of Gran Avenida, in Santiago. As a result of the torture inside, Alonso Gahona Chávez, now a forcibly disappeared person, died.

Humberto Castro Hurtado was also beaten to death here. Today, the house hosts the National Corporation of Laryngectomees (those operated on for laryngeal cancer). The facility called "Nido 18" was used exclusively to practice torture.

It is a location situated at Calle Perú 9053, in the La Florida commune of Santiago, near the 18th stop of Vicuña Mackenna. In this center, according to witnesses, Arsenio Leal Pereira took his own life under the pressure of the torture to which he was being subjected.

In "Remo Cero," alongside FACH agents, members of the Naval Intelligence Service and some Army agents operated. The contingent from the Carabineros Intelligence Directorate was more numerous. Civilians from Patria y Libertad also acted here.

Several detainees were allegedly taken from there by helicopter to be thrown into the sea, among them Humberto Fuentes Rodríguez and Luis Moraga Cruz. There are also witnesses who state that Ricardo Weibel Navarrete, Ignacio González Espinoza, Miguel Rodríguez Gallardo, and Nicomedes Toro Bravo were taken from there to be murdered and buried on the Peldehue military grounds.

Some detainees died in this facility as a result of torture, among them José Sagredo Pacheco. This facility was frequently visited by a doctor who treated several detainees and supervised the torture. A facility located at Calle Dieciocho N° 229, which had been occupied by the newspaper El Clarín and passed into the possession of the Carabineros, was known as "La Firma." The Carabineros Intelligence School was installed there, some of whose professors were members not only of DICAR but also of the Joint Command.

Adjacent to this building is another property connected to it, in the rear of which the Joint Command operated. In this second property, various PC prisoners were kept in secret detention, among them Carlos Contreras Maluje, Juan René Orellana, Luis Emilio Maturana, and Juan Antonio Gianelli, who were taken from that place to be murdered and buried clandestinely in Cuesta Barriga, and José Weibel Navarrete, who was subsequently murdered in the Cajón del Maipo sector.

In 1985, it would be used to kidnap a dozen teachers and the three communist professionals who would later appear with their throats slit on a rural road in Quilicura. Other properties used by the SIFA or the Joint Command, where detainees were held temporarily, included a property in the Bellavista neighborhood, where single members of the CC lived, as well as the Las Tranqueras Police Station, used while a United Nations human rights delegation was visiting, so that such detainees could not be located in the better-known detention centers.

AGA: The predecessor

Witnesses who survived the torture at the Air War Academy remember as their captors and torturers, among others, General Orlando Gutiérrez Bravo; commanders Sergio Lizasoaín, Edgar Ceballos Jones, Jaime Lavín, Juan Bautista González, and Humberto Velásquez Estay; captains León Duffey, Juan Carlos Sandoval, Jaime Lemus, Florencio Dublé, Contreras, and Fullogher (head of the permanent guard); lieutenants Juan Carlos Sandoval, Luis Campos, Matig, and Pérez; Sergeant Hugo "chuncho" Lizana, Corporal Eduardo Cartagena, and 2nd Corporal Gabriel Cortés (who changed his name). "The torturers at the Air War Academy were almost all from the Aerophotogrammetry Specialty, both officers and non-commissioned officers. They belonged to the courses that graduated in 1967 and later ones. They were directly under the command of Commander Otaiza, also called 'bear paw.' Also interrogating were those from the military instructors course of the School of Specialties who graduated in 1968, the same year I graduated. Subsequently, in mid-1974, I was also taken to the Air War Academy from the Public Jail. There I was able to verify that Colonel Matthei directed and selected those who had to be tortured and interrogated. He, along with a lieutenant nicknamed 'the little crazy one,' beat two prisoners who were standing and blindfolded. 'The little crazy one' also hit me with the butt of a rifle. From the AGA, I was taken to the Polytechnic Academy for 24 hours; during this journey, there was fear of the application of the so-called 'law of flight' (execution from behind and abandonment in some vacant lot). From the APA, I was transferred back to the AGA; finally, I was transferred to the Public Jail." (Sergio Lontano Trureo. 51 years old. ID 57.88167-4. Residing at 290 South Lambeth Road, London SWB.1 JUG. England. Legal Executive. As of September 11, 1973, he held the rank of 1st Corporal).

Prosecuted and responsible

The commanders and agents involved in the actions of the Joint Command are: Manuel Barra Von Kretschmann (ID 1.614.559-9), head of the Naval Intelligence Service in the Intelligence Community (José Antonio Ríos 6).

Frigate captain at the time of the coup d'état, part of the DINA leadership in 1974 and deputy director in 1975. In 1976, he became part of the CNI. He was prosecuted as an accomplice to criminal illicit association and the kidnapping of Edrás Pinto and Reinalda Pereira by Judge Cerda.

Luis Rolando Pacheco Valdés, FACH colonel (ret.). Head of the Colina Air Base at the time the "Remo Cero" torture center operated inside it. Prosecuted by Judge Cerda as the perpetrator of criminal illicit association.

Rubén Samuel Romero Gormaz, Carabineros general (ret.), head of the DICAR at J.A.R. 6. Prosecuted by Carlos Cerda as the perpetrator of illicit association and accomplice to the kidnapping of Edrás Pinto and Reinalda Pereira.

Freddy Enrique Ruiz Bunger, FACH general (ret.). Head of the DIFA at J.A.R. 6. Prosecuted as the perpetrator of criminal illicit association and accomplice to the kidnapping of Edrás Pinto and Reinalda Pereira.

He is currently being prosecuted by the head of the 25th Criminal Court of Santiago for the kidnapping of Víctor Vega. Mario H. Vivero Avila, FACH general (ret.), Aviation judge and commander of the Santiago garrison in 1976.

Prosecuted as the perpetrator of criminal illicit association by Carlos Cerda. Currently, Judge Hazbún of the 25th Criminal Court is prosecuting him as a cover-up for the illicit association and the disappearance of Víctor Vega.

Edgar Benjamín Ceballos Jones, FACH colonel (ret.). Director of the DIFA and later the SIFA, torturer at the Air War Academy, and boss of Roberto Fuentes Morrison in the CC. Alias "Inspector Cabezas." Prosecuted by Carlos Cerda as the perpetrator of criminal illicit association and accomplice to the kidnapping of Edrás Pinto and Reinalda Pereira.

Carlos Arturo Madrid Hayden, FACH commander (ret.). Vice-commander of the Colina Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment in which the "Remo Cero" torture center operated. Prosecuted by Cerda as the perpetrator of criminal illicit association, while Judge Hazbún considers him an accomplice to the kidnapping of Víctor Vega.

Germán Alfredo Esquivel Caballero, Carabineros lieutenant colonel (ret.), in charge of counterintelligence at DICAR. Prosecuted as the perpetrator of criminal illicit association and accomplice to the kidnapping of Edrás Pinto and Reinalda Pereira.

Daniel Luis Enrique Guimpert Corvalán, Navy lieutenant (ret.) (ID 4.638.149-1). Prosecuted as the perpetrator of criminal illicit association and accomplice to the kidnapping of Edrás Pinto and Reinalda Pereira.

He is currently being prosecuted by Judge Carlos Hazbún for the kidnapping of Víctor Vega. Jorge Rodrigo Cobos Manríquez, FACH reserve lieutenant. Alias "Kiko" or "Elefantito" (ID 5.890.505-4). Prosecuted by Judge Cerda as the perpetrator of criminal illicit association and accomplice to the kidnapping of Edrás Pinto and Reinalda Pereira.

Judge Hazbún subjected him to prosecution for the disappearance of Víctor Vega. Jorge Arnoldo Barraza Riveros, Investigative Police commissioner (ret.). Alias "El Zambra." Prosecuted as an accomplice to criminal illicit association.

Pedro Ernesto Caamaño Medina, FACH non-commissioned officer (ret.). Alias "Peter" (ID 7.024.319-9). Operational agent at the "La Firma" torture center. Prosecuted by Judge Carlos Hazbún for the kidnapping of Víctor Vega.

Germán Enrique Pimentel Ceballos, FACH commander (ret.). Prosecuted by Judge Cerda as the perpetrator of criminal illicit association and accomplice to the kidnapping of Edrás Pinto and Reinalda Pereira.

Luis Enrique Campos Poblete, FACH commander (ret.). Prosecuted by Carlos Cerda as the perpetrator of criminal illicit association. Manuel Agustín Muñoz Gamboa, Carabineros major (ret.). Alias "El Lolo." He stood out for his cruelty in the CC, where he participated in dozens of kidnappings, acts of torture, and disappearances, returning with the rank of captain to the Carabineros to continue being linked to the repressive apparatuses.

In the DICOMCAR, he shared duties with his "colleague" from the CC, Miguel Estay Reino. In this organization, he appears involved in the murder of Juan Antonio Aguirre Ballesteros in 1984. He was prosecuted by Judge Cerda; subsequently, he was sentenced to 5 years and one day for his participation in the murder of José Manuel Parada, Manuel Guerrero, and Santiago Nattino.

Today, he appears prosecuted for the kidnapping and disappearance of Alonso Gahona, in the 4th Criminal Court of San Miguel, and in the case handled by Judge Hazbún for the kidnapping and disappearance of Víctor Vega.

Eduardo Enrique Cartagena Maldonado. Alias "Lalo." ID 5.083.760. FACH non-commissioned officer (ret.). Agent of the CC since 1975, participating in kidnappings, torture, and disappearances of numerous communist leaders between that year and 1976.

After the dissolution of this organization, he joined the Air Force Intelligence Service (SIFA). He is being prosecuted in the 4th Criminal Court of San Miguel for the kidnapping and torture that caused the death of Alonso Gahona Chávez, missing since September 8, 1975.

He also appears indicted in the case opened by the judge with preferential dedication Carlos Hazbún, head of the 25th Criminal Court, regarding the kidnapping and disappearance of Víctor Vega Riquelme that occurred on January 3, 1976.

His last known address is Del Rey 394, Maipú. Miguel Arturo Estay Reyno. Alias "El Fanta." Former communist militant, he went from informant to agent after being detained in 1975 by members of the Joint Command.

Knowledgeable about the internal structures of the Communist Youth and the PC, he was a vital piece in the creation of the organizational charts that led to the detention of its main leaders, among whom were Carlos Contreras Maluje, José Weibel, Fernando Ortiz, and Waldo Pizarro.

He participated in the kidnapping of his former comrade Manuel Guerrero, who was one of the few who managed to escape the clutches of the CC, but in 1985 he kidnapped him again, this time with the agents of the DICOMCAR, to finally slit his throat along with José Manuel Parada and Santiago Nattino.

Prosecuted by Judge Cerda and amnestied by Silva Ibáñez, today he is serving his life sentence in Colina for the murder of the three communist professionals and is being prosecuted for the disappearance of Víctor Vega.

César Luis Palma Ramírez. Alias "El Fifo." ID 6.387.372-1. As a militant of Patria y Libertad, he participated in numerous terrorist attacks against the UP government; he was detained in August 1973 for his participation in the homicide of presidential aide Arturo Araya, amnestied after the coup d'état by Admiral Adolfo Waulbaum.

A friend of Fuentes Morrison, who brought him to the CC, he became his right-hand man in the execution of repressive tasks. According to CC defector Andrés Valenzuela, "El Fifo" participated directly in the murders of José Weibel Navarrete, Miguel Rodríguez Gallardo, Humberto Fuentes Rodríguez, and agents of the same organization Carol Flores and Guillermo Bratti, all missing to this date.

He is also named among those who executed communist leaders Lincoyan Berríos, Fernando Navarro, Fernando Ortiz, Waldo Pizarro, Luis Lazo, Juan Gianelly, Horacio Cepeda, Héctor Véliz, and Reinalda Pereira, who was in an advanced state of pregnancy, in Cuesta Barriga.

Prosecuted by Judge Cerda, he appears today in the cases of Alonso Gahona and Víctor Vega. His last known address is El Quilo 5535, Quinta Normal, where the cooling equipment factory FRIGOMET LTDA. operates, where they claim they do not know him; however, his phone-fax 7738010 continues to be in the name of Palma Ramírez.

Roberto Alfonso Flores Cisterna. Alias "El Huaso." ID 7.767.975-8. FACH soldier (ret.). On September 11, 1973, as a FACH soldier at the El Bosque Air Base, he participated in interrogations and torture of detainees.

Because of his "ability," he was sent to continue his work at the Air War Academy under the command of Edgard Ceballos. In 1975, he became part of the CC, being responsible for the kidnapping, torture, and disappearance of dozens of communist militants.

Until the mid-90s, he remained in active service in the SIFA; today he appears working in the commercial sector. His last known address is Villa Tantauco, Block 10282, apt. 31, San Bernardo. Alejandro Jorge Forero Alvarez.

Cardiologist. Medical College Registry 9580-K. Squadron commander and doctor who was working at the FACH Hospital at the time of the coup d'état. In 1976, he served as a second soldier at the El Bosque Air Base and at the Colina Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment.

In this place, he participated in the CC, supervising torture and drugging prisoners who were taken out to be disappeared. He was subjected to prosecution by Judge Carlos Cerda during the dictatorship and today is again required by Judge Hazbún in the case of Víctor Vega.

He was the first to be "funado" (publicly exposed) in Chile, on October 1, 1999, at his office in the INDISA Clinic. He is a member, among other organizations, of the Chilean Society of Intensive Medicine, where he is listed with the INDISA address, and of the Chilean Society of Cardiology, where he appears with his private practice: Av.

Apoquindo 6275, office 116, and the email address forero@entelchile.net. His last known address is Camino La Brisa 14.199-2, Lo Barnechea, phone 2161253. Juan Francisco Saavedra Loyola. Alias "Jano." ID 4.124.917-K.

FACH officer (ret.). On September 11, 1973, he served as group commander of the Air War Academy, where he was in charge of the interrogations and torture of his comrades-in-arms loyal to the constitutional government, among them Alberto Bachelet.

In 1976, he was appointed Director of the Colina Air Base and joined the CC, replacing Edgard Ceballos in the position. In 1977, he moved to the Intelligence Community that operated at Juan Antonio Ríos 6 (Alameda with Santa Rosa).

Until the early 90s, he was active in the FACH with the rank of colonel. He was prosecuted by Judge Carlos Cerda and today is required by Judge Hazbún in the case of the disappearance of Víctor Vega. Otto Silvio Trujillo Miranda.

Civil agent. DC militant in his youth, he later joined Patria y Libertad, where he met "Wally," who would take him to the CC and save his life in a dispute between this organization and the DINA when, together with Carol Flores and Guillermo Bratti, they provided information to Contreras's men.

Since before the coup d'état, he belonged to the Military Intelligence Service (SIM); later, he was called by Fuentes Morrison to be part of the security team of the Ministry of Agriculture and the CC.

He participated in the kidnapping, torture, and disappearance of dozens of leftist militants until his expulsion due to the incident with the DINA. His "contacts" allowed him to take charge of a security company in southern Chile, after which he was involved in numerous lawsuits for the fraudulent issuance of checks.

In October 2002, he revealed to a journalist from La Nación how former members of the CC handed over fictitious lists to the Dialogue Table on Human Rights. The revelation resulted in the dismissal and subsequent prosecution of General Patricio Campos, and the resignation of the FACH Commander-in-Chief Patricio Rios.

He is on the list of those prosecuted by Carlos Cerda and in the cases opened for the disappearance of Alonso Gahona and Víctor Vega. Guillermo Antonio Urra Carrasco. Alias "Willy." ID 6.687.227-0. FACH second corporal (ret.).

Operational agent of the CC since its formalization in 1975. He was prosecuted by Judge Carlos Cerda for his participation in the kidnapping, torture, and disappearance of dozens of leftist militants. According to direct witnesses, he is responsible for the execution of prisoners in the Cajón del Maipo (among them José Weibel and agents Carol Flores and Guillermo Bratti), in Cuesta Barriga (among others Horacio Cepeda, Fernando Ortiz, and Reinalda Pereira), and for throwing others into the sea off the coast of Quintero.

Today he is being prosecuted again, this time for the Víctor Vega case. His last known address is Santa Blanca 1990, Las Condes. Roberto Fuentes Morrison. Alias "Wally." During the Unidad Popular, he stood out in the paramilitary groups of Patria y Libertad, where he met several of those he would later take to the CC.

As a FACH Squadron Commander, he joined this criminal illicit association, becoming one of the operational chiefs recognized as one of the cruelest torturers. He was prosecuted by Carlos Cerda due to his participation in dozens of kidnappings, acts of torture, executions, and disappearances of MIR and PC militants.

In mid-1989, he was riddled with bullets outside his house. Fernando Patricio Zuñiga Canales. Alias "Chirola." FACH non-commissioned officer (ret.). As a soldier at the El Bosque Air Base, on September 11, 1973, he participated in the torture of his comrades-in-arms.

Later, he was transferred to the Air War Academy to perform the same functions, and from there he became part of the DIFA. In 1975, he joined the CC, in which he participated in the kidnapping, torture, and disappearance of dozens of leftist militants, among them Víctor Cárdenas, Carlos Durán, Luis Maturana, Humberto Castro, and Davíd Urrutia.

He was also present at the execution of Bratti and Flores. He belonged to the FACH Intelligence Service (SIFA) at least until the early 90s. He was prosecuted by Judge Cerda and today appears in the cases of Alonso Gahona and Víctor Vega.

His last known address is Pasaje Simón Bolivar 1298, San Bernardo. Alex Damián Carrasco Olivos, FACH official, bodyguard for Leigh, Fernando Matthei, and Ramón Vega. Alias "Loco Alex" (ID 6.243.426-7).

Operational agent of the Joint Command. Juan Arturo Chavez Sandoval, FACH corporal (ret.). Alias "Peque," "Rucio," or "Pol." Torturer at the AGA and CC operative. Prosecuted for the kidnapping of Víctor Vega.

Marco Alejandro Cortes Figueroa, Investigative Police inspector (ret.). Alias "Yoyopulus." Prosecuted as an accomplice to criminal illicit association in the Cerda case. Raúl Horacio González Fernández, FACH official (ret.).

Alias "Rodrigo" or "Wally Chico." Witnesses state that he participated in the detention of José Weibel. Prosecuted as an accomplice to the illegal detention of Amanda Velasco Pedersen in the 25th Criminal Court.

Viviana Lucinda Ugarte Sandoval, FACH soldier (ret.), assigned to the DIFA and the Joint Command. Alias "La Pochi." The revelation in October 2002 by "Colmillo Blanco" that "La Pochi" is the wife of General Patricio Campos and that he delivered a false report to the Dialogue Table on Human Rights in 2001 resulted in her dismissal and subsequent prosecution.

Former prisoners remember her as a sadistic presence in torture centers. Prosecuted by Judge Cerda as the perpetrator of criminal illicit association and accomplice to the disappearance of Reinalda Pereira and Edrás Pinto.

Pablo Arturo Navarrete Arriagada, Carabineros colonel (ret.) assigned to DICAR. Prosecuted as an accomplice to criminal illicit association by Judge Cerda. Antonio Benedicto Quiros Reyes, FACH colonel (ret.) and head of the Counterintelligence Department during the years of the CC.

Prosecuted by Carlos Cerda as the perpetrator of criminal illicit association. Andrés Pablo Potin Lailhacar, CC civil agent. Alias "Yerko." Patria y Libertad militant detained in August 1973 for his participation in the homicide of presidential aide Arturo Araya.

Prosecuted by Judge Hazbún as a participant in the kidnapping of Víctor Vega. Today he is listed as a businessman in the computer sector with an office at Américo Vespucio Norte 2506. Manuel Antonio Salvatierra Rojas, Investigative Police sub-prefect (ret.).

Alias "Negro" (ID 6.195.828-2). Prosecuted by Judge Cerda as the perpetrator of criminal illicit association. Robinson Alfonso Suazo Jaque, FACH soldier (ret.). Alias "Jonathan." Torturer at the AGA. Prosecuted in the 25th Criminal Court for the kidnapping and disappearance of Víctor Vega.

Humberto Villegas, Carabineros second sergeant (ret.). Alias "Don Beto." Prosecuted by Carlos Cerda as the perpetrator of criminal illicit association and accomplice to the disappearance of Reinalda Pereira and Edrás Pinto.

Pedro Juan Zambrano Uribe, FACH official. Alias "Chino." Prosecuted by Judge Hazbún as the perpetrator of the kidnapping of Víctor Vega. Other individuals prosecuted by Judge Carlos Cerda were Gustavo Leigh and Julio Benimelli Ruiz, who died under various circumstances.

Indicted as accomplices to the CC are Carabineros colonels (ret.) Italo Astete Sermini, Gonzalo Jiménez Huerta, Raúl Enrique Montt Carvajal, and Federico Luis Smith Ibarra. Also, lieutenant colonels Graciano Bernales Pérez, Juan Bezzemberger Schwarz, and Luis Humberto Villagra Rebeco.

As cover-ups for the kidnappings of Reinalda Pereira and Edrás Pinto, Investigative Police sub-commissioner Federico Infante Lillo and officer Jorge Mondaca González, both retired, were indicted. In the case opened by Carlos Hazbún, Carlos Pascua Riquelme, Juan Chávez Sandoval, and Alejandro Sáez Mardones (serving a life sentence for the "degollados" case) were subjected to prosecution.

Source: La Fogata, January 28, 2002