Leonardo Antonio Iribarren, a union leader and militant of the Partido Comunista, disappeared that day while waiting for the mining company bus that would take him to his workplace, located in the Bandurrias district, about 80 kilometers from Vallenar. He did not arrive at the mine where he worked and has been forcibly disappeared since that date.

After September 11, the military authorities in the area intensely searched for all communist militants—like Leonardo Iribarren—politically linked to the former mayor of Vallenar, Juan López, who was detained and executed on that date. His case was classified as a victim of human rights violations by the Comisión Nacional de Verdad y Reconciliación.

According to statements made by his spouse and other mine workers, days before his disappearance, his home had been raided by military personnel and carabineros, without finding him. All efforts and legal actions attempted to locate her husband’s whereabouts were fruitless.

Considering the evidence gathered and the investigation conducted, the Superior Council reached the conviction that Leonardo Antonio Iribarren was detained by State agents and that he disappeared while being held in that status. For this reason, it declared him a victim of human rights violations.

41 years old, married, miner, forcibly disappeared on October 26, 1973, in Vallenar. Leonardo Antonio Iribarren, a union leader and militant of the Partido Comunista, disappeared that day while waiting for the mining company bus that would take him to his workplace, located in the Bandurrias district, about 80 kilometers from Vallenar.

He never arrived at the mine where he worked and has been missing since that date. After September 11, the military authorities in the area intensely searched for all communist militants like Leonardo Iribarren who were politically linked to the former mayor of Vallenar, Juan López, who was detained and executed on that date.

His case was classified as a victim of human rights violations by the National Commission for Truth and Reconciliation. According to statements made by his spouse and other mine workers, days before his disappearance, his home had been raided by military personnel and Carabineros, though they did not find him.

All efforts and legal actions attempted to determine the whereabouts of her husband were unsuccessful. Considering the evidence gathered and the investigation conducted, the Superior Council reached the conviction that Leonardo Antonio Iribarren was detained by State agents and that he disappeared while being held in that status.

For this reason, it declared him a victim of human rights violations.

Source: (Corporation Report)