On April 5, 1974, Bernardo del Tránsito CORTES CASTRO, a student, was killed by Ejército personnel. He had been detained the previous day in Coquimbo and taken to the Regimiento Arica in La Serena, where he was seen by family members.

When they returned the following day, they were told that he had been killed while attempting to escape. This version of events does not appear convincing, given the circumstances in which the detainee was held, under heavy guard within a military regiment.

This conclusion is further ratified by the fact that the Ejército has not provided a detailed explanation of the events, and that, to this day, the victim's body has not been returned to his family.

For all these reasons, the Commission is convinced that Bernardo Cortés was executed outside of any legal process by state agents, who thereby violated his human rights.