Although the Regional Ministerial Secretariat (SEREMI) of Cultures, Arts, and Heritage of the Los Lagos Region has insistently declared that the Regional Culture Councilor, Luis Vargas Cárdenas, has no formal accusations against him for participation in acts violating human rights during the dictatorship period, reports dating back more than eight years to the Valech Commission state the opposite and place him in repressive actions in the commune of Ancud.

The protest that has been maintained for more than two weeks by recognized exponents of art and culture and cultural organizations of the Los Lagos region, who object to the appointment of Vargas Cárdenas due to his link to acts of repression during the civil-military dictatorship, has clashed with the staunch defense of the regional ministerial secretary, who, in response to the request to review the councilor's curricular background, indicated on local radio:

"We did review it, we even reviewed it in the second session of the Regional Council, before all the other councilors," adding that "we cannot—as a regional council—ignore a process that is fully legitimized and fully validated."

"Regarding the link of the designated councilor to repression during the dictatorship," the Seremi indicates, "there are no records, and in that, we have obviously, responsibly, conducted a review, and there is nothing formal."

However, the evidence against this assertion is overwhelming and has appeared spontaneously from family members and individuals who directly suffered the repressive actions of Vargas Cárdenas.

One of them, dating from the year 2010—the publication of which was authorized by family members—is part of the Valech Report, an official document in which it is possible to find evidence that places Vargas Cárdenas far from the traffic and license plate control functions that he indicated to the media he performed as a Carabineros officer, but rather directly implicated in the detention of political prisoners.

It should be noted that the 1st Police Station of Ancud, a national monument, was a center for political imprisonment and torture during the dictatorship, as recorded in the Valech and Rettig Reports. Furthermore, this facility was, until 1991, under the charge of the former DINA agent, Gerardo Godoy García, who is currently serving a sentence in Punta Peuco.

In view of the refusal of the regional authority of the Ministry of Cultures, the art and culture workers' organizations of the Los Lagos region are asking the Intendant, Harry Jurgensen Caesar, and the Regional Councilors (CORES), as well as the Minister, Consuelo Valdés Chadwick, to take a stand regarding this situation "which violates the commitment we have signed as a society to respect human rights and to repudiate those who violate them."

The letter is being delivered along with all the testimonies collected to date. A similar missive is also being sent to the Minister of Cultures, the Arts, and Heritage, awaiting responses.

Statement by architect Nelson González Ballesteros, regional intendant during the Unidad Popular:

"I woke up to blows on the glass of the bedroom I had, with shouts outside—'González! Get up!' I promise you that the glass of that window was full of machine guns that were aiming at me. I went to present myself to the Carabineros and there was this man (referring to Vargas Cárdenas), he was commanding the group.

They took me to Chacao and in Chacao a Carabinero hit me on the head, I imagine it was with a revolver or something, I was left stunned right there."

Statement by Varsovia Viveros Barriga

I am VARSOVIA VIVEROS BARRIGA, RUT 6.618.384-k, teacher, poet, composer, and cultural manager who, in times of dictatorship, developed my writing and musical work, sharing it with my fellow citizens and with the people who generously filled our peñas or the solidarity benefits that were held in our city.

Along with this panorama, several cultural practitioners of that time and those who were just beginning to show themselves in the artistic environment decided to form a group that would unite the need we all had to express ourselves through song, poetry, painting, and theater.

ACUDA was the name we gave it, and it represented very well who we were: a Cultural Group in Ancud.

We met initially at my house, then in others, and later, as we grew, in the spaces of the Estrella de Mar building, dependent on the Bishopric, which at that time housed and guarded the cultural expressions of the commune.

During that entire period (the beginning of the eighties), we had to meet while being careful not to be surprised by "EL CHOTO," a sinister character (a faithful representative of the dark and violent days we were living), who was always on the prowl to assert his authority as a Carabinero and his absolute contempt for artistic activities.

Many times we had to suspend rehearsals or presentations because the choto had decided to throw us out of the place without giving us any explanation.

On the street, he would arbitrarily detain people, without caring about their age, just to instill fear. He would disguise himself to spy and discover political leanings in order to then denounce the person he had discovered. In short, one could say a lot about the memories that the citizens of Ancud have about this former uniformed officer.

But I, reliably, as a former coordinator of this emblematic group, which resisted with ideals and values the multiple violations of which we were victims, can affirm that the Choto violated the human rights of freedom of individuals, the right to personal integrity and security, the right to freedom of expression, freedom of conscience, freedom of movement and residence, freedom of association, assembly, and demonstration, the right to identity and the free development of personality, the right of access to culture, and finally, the right to the truth; and by virtue of this and everything that others can ratify, I declare that Luis Vargas Cárdenas is far from being a suitable person to hold a position of such importance as being a Regional Culture Councilor.

I am sending along with this statement other testimonies I have received from some members of the group supporting this declaration.

Statement by Graciela Bonilla

I am a former member of the Acuda group, which was made up of students, housewives, and professionals, a cultural group that was so necessary at that time, and our activities were solidarity-based, providing song, poetry, and theater.

Every time we had performances in Ancud, the police force was waiting for us outside, or they would simply enter and evict us, and if we resisted, the clubs would fly for everyone, and in all of this, the Carabinero character "Choto" was always present, who, as I remember, enjoyed repressing very much.

I also remember that "the choto" took two companions from the group, and he tied one of them to a post and started hitting him on the head, and they had to take him to the hospital to certify his injuries.

I cannot believe that they want to put this gentleman in to represent us in cultural matters.

By Manuel Moraga, Spokesperson for the En Cultura No Movement. Source: paislobo.cl, April 1, 2019

Source: Radio Bío Bío

Ancud cultural councilor, linked to acts of repression during the dictatorship, resigns after pressure from artistic organizations

The former Carabinero Luis Vargas had taken office this month in the Los Lagos region, amidst strong opposition from local cultural organizations. Although he acknowledged having participated in order and security tasks in the 80s in Chiloé, he denied being involved in human rights violations.

A testimony provided to the Valech Commission in 2010 places him in a facility where a former PS militant was tortured.

The Seremi of Culture of the Los Lagos Region, Amanda Milosevich, announced this Friday that the questioned Culture Councilor Luis Vargas will submit his resignation next week.

"This week, new information emerged regarding Luis Vargas and his participation in events linked to human rights violations, according to a testimony recorded in the Valech Commission," Milosevich expressed. "It is worth mentioning that the election of Mr. Vargas as a member of the Regional Council of Cultures arose from the Communal Union of Neighborhood Councils of Ancud."

"We have been informed that in the course of next week, Mr. Vargas will present his resignation, a decision that this Seremi deeply supports, as she considers that Mr. Vargas should leave the position to provide peace of mind to the artistic-cultural community of the region and thus comply with one of the principles that guide our institution, which is respect for historical memory and human rights," she indicated.

Vargas, for his part, confirmed to this outlet that he will make his resignation effective on Tuesday.

"Everything has a limit, and the thing is already going in a direction different from what corresponds to reality and the truth. Since I am very Catholic, I believe in the truth and in Christ," he said, in addition to criticizing what he called "gratuitous attacks."

Second case

Milosevich was once again in the eye of the storm. If in September 2018 she had to demand the departure of her Chief of Staff, Isidora Hiriart, a great-niece of Augusto Pinochet, for exalting the figure of the former dictator, this time she had to deal with a former police officer who took office amidst the opposition of several cultural groups in the area.

Former corporal Luis Vargas Cárdenas claims to be a singer. Although he admitted to El Mostrador that he had performed order and security duties during the 80s in Chiloé, he denies having been part of the DINA or the CNI, or being involved in human rights violations.

Previously, Milosevich had backed his appointment, under the argument that all legal steps had been followed.

"It is important to emphasize that in the formation of the council, we always acted in accordance with the law and in good faith. The process is completely valid, and until now, no one has provided formal evidence that accounts for any human rights violation by Councilor Vargas," a previous public statement from the Seremi had indicated.

However, this Friday she said that "it is very important for me to clarify that I trust the artistic community, but I hope they understand that as an authority, I must have concrete evidence to act."

A source, who asked not to be identified, adds that the authority indicated that she did not have the power to annul the appointment.

This week, a 2010 testimony provided to the Valech Commission came to light, which linked Vargas to the detention of a person who states they were tortured in a police station where he performed duties.

"Generalized unrest"

Writer Renato Cárdenas had described Vargas as a "known repressor of human rights defenders." The association Anfucultura, Sidarte, the Association of Plastic Artists, the Cultural Collective for Ancud, among others, had asked for the situation to be clarified, as had Deputy Alejandro Bernales. Likewise, an internet campaign had already gathered 500 signatures for his removal.

Bernales, a member of the Culture Commission of the Chamber of Deputies, had indicated that "we are quite worried about this situation," while appealing to the Minister of Culture, Consuelo Valdés, to make a statement.

"There is generalized unrest in the province of Chiloé regarding the appointment of this councilor," he pointed out to this outlet.

"Falsehoods"

In an interview conducted with this outlet at the beginning of April, Vargas said that he was a Carabinero from 1976 to 1987. He retired with the rank of second corporal the year of Pope John Paul II's visit, as confirmed by his institution to this outlet.

He claims he did so because he wanted to start a business, which was incompatible with his police duties. He worked as a police officer in Chiloé and Valdivia.

"Falsehoods have been said against my person, from the political world, more than anything," he pointed out to El Mostrador on April 3, regarding the accusations, while pointing out his status as a singer. "I am a singer-songwriter, I compose folk songs with the rhythm of the vals chilote and some cuequitas chilotas."

"I have sung since I was 13, in the Conciliar Seminary of Ancud and the Polyphonic Choir, where I was for more than thirty years. I am a tenor, I have been a soloist and in group singing. I have sung in many works in friendly countries. All the people know me here," he affirms.

"They can say whatever they want, there is democracy," he added previously regarding the questioning. "This will fall under its own weight," he had said.

Police function

Regarding his work in the Carabineros, he said it was "order and security." "I was very criticized for being too strict in the traffic part. They called me 'broken bridge' and I wouldn't let anything pass, that's true. I wore the olive green with great pride."

He also denied having participated in the repression of cultural groups in the area during the dictatorship, such as ACUDA.

"The only thing I remember is that many peñas were held and that we controlled them under the Alcohol Law, nothing more," he expressed. He added that political surveillance "was seen by the security services, it did not correspond to me. I was not a member of the CNI or the DINA, nothing like that."

Political repression

When asked if he participated in acts of political repression, he recalled that when there were protests, "they sent us to the street to maintain public order."

"We complied with the duty that the institution ordered us all, as there were 45,000 men throughout Chile. It was my turn to take many participants in protests into custody, but I was not the only one. We went 14 or 15 per picket, if we detained it was because of disorder," he insisted.

"I have walked freely through the streets of my city, Ancud, since I retired. I am friends with all people," of diverse political colors. He concluded that although he was a member of RN and the UDI, he was currently not part of any party.

Support from Neighborhood Councils

Vargas took office thanks to the Communal Union of Neighborhood Councils of Ancud, which groups the entities and is led by Adriana Gallardo, "who is not even of my political ideas, because she knows my cultural trajectory."

"They supported me with all the corresponding documentation, they sponsored me," he revealed.

This outlet tried to communicate with Gallardo, but it was unsuccessful. However, a source from the organization indicated that "we only provided documentation to accompany what this gentleman applied for... but the designation was made where it corresponded... furthermore, we have supported many natural and legal causes, some prosper and others do not."

"In the communal board, we determined not to give any more opinions on the matter," the source concluded.

Accusations

However, a testimony provided in 2010 to the Valech Commission places Vargas in an act of torture.

A former member of the Socialist Party points out that he was detained in 1975 by Sergeant Onofre Ulloa Bahamonde and the Carabinero Luis Vargas, "known as 'El Choto'," and held in the Ancud Police Station for a week, deprived of food.

"At that time, I was tortured repeatedly by the sergeant described above. With the butt of the submachine gun, they broke the bone base of the thumb of my right hand, which was not treated; with a rubber baton (sic), they hit both sides of my neck; multiple blows with hands to the ears, causing inflammation in the eardrums, from which I still have sequelae and other physical and psychological aggressions," the affected party declared.

Subsequently, he was transferred to the Puerto Montt Prison. A document from the Gendarmerie certifies that he was detained there by order of the Military Prosecutor's Office, which ordered his release shortly after.

The First Police Station of Ancud, a national monument since 2015, was a center for detention and torture during the dictatorship, as recorded in the Valech and Rettig reports. Furthermore, this facility was, until 1991, under the charge of former Carabineros Major Gerardo Godoy García.

Godoy García was a former DINA agent who performed duties at Londres 38, José Domingo Cañas, and Venda Sexy. He was convicted for the kidnapping and disappearance of the MIR member Miguel Angel Sandoval, which occurred in 1975, and was interned in Punta Peuco.

Source: elmostrador.cl, April 12, 2019