Télex C218/14Z de fecha 16 de junio de 1976 (Claro) procedente de Cancillería (DIPLOMACIA) dirigido a la Embajada de Uruguay en Argentina (URUBAIRES) transcribiendo cable de la Agencia AFP, procedente de París en el que se denuncia el secuestro de Gerardo Gatti en Buenos Aires, junto con María del Pilar Montedónico.

Ubicación: Dpto. de Archivo Histórico – Diplomático – Sección: Embajada de la ROU en Argentina / Serie: Asuntos de Seguridad – Información sobre Personas/ Año 1976 / Caja 3 Confidenciales / Carpeta H3-2 Parte II/ 1 foja.

This document contains a list of refugees including nationals from Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Italy, Paraguay, Spain, Peru, and Uruguay who are detained or missing in Argentina in June 1976. The document mentions the abduction of 25 (mainly Chilean) refugees in Buenos Aires on 10 June after a list was stolen from the refugee agency in Buenos Aires.

Declaración de Wilson Ferreira Aldunate ante el Subcomité sobre Organizaciones Internacionales del Comité de Relaciones Internacionales de la Cámara de Representantes del Congreso de los Estados Unidos en la cual denuncia la deriva autoritaria en Uruguay. Denuncia la disolución del Parlamento en 1973 y la creación del Consejo de Estado. Menciona los asesinatos en Buenos Aires de los legisladores Zelmar Michelini y Héctor Gutiérrez Ruiz. También informa de las arbitrariedades judiciales (confiscaciones antes de sentencia, prisiones prolongadas aun tras cumplir condena). Asimismo sostiene que la guerrilla uruguaya fue desarticulada en 1972 y que, desde entonces, la represión estatal se dirige contra la población en general.

Aporta cifras: 5.000 a 6.000 presos políticos en ese momento y 50.000 a 60.000 personas detenidas o interrogadas desde el inicio de la dictadura; refiere a la tortura extendida y junto con una emigración masiva (al menos 300.000, quizá hasta 500.000 personas). Destaca el endeudamiento externo del país y el gasto desproporcionado en seguridad. Exige a EE. UU. cesar todo apoyo político, técnico y financiero a la dictadura uruguaya y “dejar a los uruguayos” recuperar su democracia.

Ubicación: Dpto. Archivo Histórico- Diplomático- Sección: Embajada de la ROU en Estados Unidos / Serie: Wilson Ferreira Aldunate / Año 1976 / Caja 113 / Carpeta 28

Télex P122 de fecha 17 de junio de 1976, procedente de la Embajada de Uruguay en Estados Unidos, transcribiendo cable noticioso sobre declaraciones de Wilson Ferreira Aldunate sobre la situación política en Uruguay y la cifra de presos políticos.

Ubicación: Dpto. Archivo Histórico- Diplomático- Sección: Embajada de la ROU en Estados Unidos / Serie: Wilson Ferreira Aldunate / Año 1976 / Caja 113 / Carpeta 28 / 1 foja.

The US Ambassador in Montevideo shares further information with the State Department regarding the activities of Uruguayan legislators and opponents of the military regime, Zelmar Michelini and Héctor Gutiérrez Ruiz. The Argentine authorities suspect that Michelini is involved with the Revolutionary Coordinating Junta (JCR) in Argentina.

In this report, the CIA recognises that the security forces of several South American countries may be working together in actions against political refugees in Argentina. This comes after three key recent incidents: 1) armed men ransacked the offices of the Argentine Catholic Commission on Immigration and stole records on thousands of refugees, 2) renowned Uruguayan exiles, Zelmar Michelini and Héctor Gutiérrez Ruiz and former Bolivian President were killed in Argentina, and 3) reports of the death of Chilean national and founder of the Revolutionary Left Movement (MIR), Edgardo Enríquez.

Nota No.50 - 976(710) de fecha 23 de junio de 1976 procedente de la Sección Consular de la Embajada de Uruguay en la República Argentina, dirigida al Embajador Gustavo Magariños, remitiendo Nota 2- 976-(482) de fecha 22 de junio de 1976, del Consulado en la que se informa la visita del matrimonio Nores Montedónico, denunciando llamadas telefónicas y recibidas referentes a la situación de su hija María del Pilar Nores Montedónico.

Ubicación: Dpto. de Archivo Histórico – Diplomático – Sección: Embajada de la ROU en Argentina / Serie: Asuntos de Seguridad – Información sobre Personas/ Año 1976 / Caja 3 Confidenciales / Carpeta H3-2 Parte II/ 3 fojas.

The communication recounts a meeting of Operation Condor member countries held from 31st May to 2nd June 1976 in Argentina. The security services agreed upon two forms of cooperation: intelligence sharing and covert operations against the Revolutionary Coordinating Junta (JCR) and other guerrilla groups.

CIA on Operation Condor including a separate agreement by Uruguayan intelligence to operate covertly in Paris with Argentine and Chilean counterparts against the Revolutionary Coordinating Junta and other leftist subversive groups.

In this telegram sent to the US Embassy in Montevideo, the US Embassy in Buenos Aires shares intelligence from victims' testimonies before the UNHCR indicating that Uruguayan security offices were involved in kidnappings of refugees in Buenos Aires in June 1976 in collaboration with local security forces.

Memorándum de fecha 02 de julio de 1976, relativo a la conducta a seguir en el marco del “caso Venezuela”- las posibles acciones a implementar y el análisis de las repercusiones que cada una de ellas podía implicar para Uruguay desde el punto de vista de las relaciones internacionales. Este documento se refiere al secuestro de la ciudadana uruguaya Elena Quinteros del predio de la Sede de la Embajada de Venezuela en Montevideo, el día 28 de junio de 1976.

El documento presenta el faltante de su última página, que sí puede verse en otra copia del documento.

Ubicación: Archivo Administrativo del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Uruguay » Sección: Embajada de la ROU en Venezuela » Serie: Compilación de documentos relativos a la “Ruptura de relaciones diplomáticas con Venezuela” » Año: 1976 » Caja: 3

Memorándum de fecha 02 de julio de 1976, relativo a la conducta a seguir en el marco del “caso Venezuela”- las posibles acciones a implementar y el análisis de las repercusiones que cada una de ellas podía implicar para Uruguay desde el punto de vista de las relaciones internacionales. Este documento se refiere al secuestro de la ciudadana uruguaya Elena Quinteros del predio de la Sede de la Embajada de Venezuela en Montevideo, el día 28 de junio de 1976. Este documento fue donado por el Dr. Milton Romani.

Existe una copia con mejor legibilidad del presente documento, aunque presenta una página faltante.

Ubicación: Dpto. de Archivo Histórico–Diplomático del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Uruguay » Investigación Administrativa por el secuestro de Elena Quinteros establecida por R.M. Nº 201/87 de 11 de agosto de 1987 y realizada por la Dra. Luján Flores de Sapriza. – Caja única » Pieza: 1 » Fojas: 74 a 81

Cooperation between the intelligence and security forces of Argentina; leftist subversive actions during the period 25th June to 2nd July 1976; the reorganization of the Montoneros.

This document contains three messages from the CIA. The first contains intelligence regarding the crossborder travel of agents from Condor member countries to support countersubversive operations in Argentina. The second and third documents examine the activities and reorganisation of the Montoneros guerrilla movement in Argentina.

In this telegram, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for the State Department, Harry Shlaudeman writes to the Secretary of the State Department regarding the recent appeal of the UN High Commission for Refugees to the US and 33 other countries requesting the urgent resettlement of one thousand refugees in Argentina, alongside further refugees in the future.

Télex C367/24 de fecha 19 de julio de 1976 (Claro) procedente de la Embajada de Uruguay en Argentina (URUBAIRES) dirigido a Cancillería (DIPLOMACIA) informando gestiones realizadas ante autoridades policiales y militares sobre casos de ciudadanos uruguayos detenidos. Se detalla la consulta realizada a esa Embajada por parte de Agencias Noticiosas sobre la desaparición de treinta (30) uruguayos.

Ubicación: Dpto. de Archivo Histórico – Diplomático – Sección: Embajada de la ROU en Argentina / Serie: Asuntos de Seguridad – Información sobre Personas/ Año 1976 / Caja 3 Confidenciales / Carpeta H3-2 Parte I/ 1 foja.

The US Embassy in Buenos Aires briefs the State Department on the increasing danger to political refugees in Argentina, following the disappearance of 30 Uruguayans the previous week including the daughter of murdered Uruguayan Senator Zelmar Michelini.

In this telegram sent to the State Department, the US Ambassador to Uruguay claims that 'the US has long urged [countries in the Southern Cone] to increase their cooperation for security'. The Ambassador argues that a coordinated, regional approach to security is justified to counter the armed groups who are coordinating their regional activities through the JCR.

“Condor”: A Cooperative Program of the Intelligence Services of Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil to Counter Terrorism and Subversion; Basic Mission of “Condor” Teams Sent to France.

This report shares intelligence on plans for a phase three of Operation Condor involving targeted assassinations against high-level opponents of the military regimes located in non-member countries. Europe will, allegedly, be the main country involved in planned operations in France.

Comments by a senior Bolivian official on the “Condor” program. The Bolivian official claimed that special teams were being organised to pursue JCR targets in France and that later similar targets in other countries would be pursued.

In this telegram sent to the State Department, the US Embassy in Buenos Aires argues that recent US reports are wrongly reducing Condor to intelligence sharing. The US Embassy suggests that there is strong evidence that Argentine, Chilean, and Uruguayan agents are travelling across borders to collaborate with local security forces.

The CIA reports that the intelligence services of Argentina, Chile and Uruguay were preparing specially trained teams to mount offensive operations beyond their borders. The FBI emphasises that it will need to take precautions to ensure that it does not become associated with such activity.

Arrest by Argentine authorities of 30 Uruguayan subversives. Among those captured was Margarita Michelini, daughter of the Uruguayan Senator Zelmar Michelini who was assassinated as part of Operation Condor.

In this document, the CIA shares intelligence from an anonymous source regarding the selection of targets for special Condor teams which are due to operate in Europe. According to the source, Condor teams being sent to France will aim to target high-level leaders of guerrilla organisations. Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay are identified as suspected to be the main protagonists in such operations outside South America.

This is a CIA memorandum from a meeting which discussed the 'disturbing developments' in Condor's 'operational attitudes' to include attacks against guerrilla leaders.

In this telegram addressed to the State Department, the US Embassy in Buenos Aires reports that Chilean union leader, Muñoz Salas is seeking resettlement outside Argentina through the UN High Commission for Refugees. Muñoz Salas claims that he and his family were abducted and tortured by Argentine police officers, despite the fact that he was not involved in any political activity in Argentina.

This memorandum from a State Department meeting reports that Condor is adopting an increasingly 'active' role and is turning towards tracking down and carrying out attacks against leaders of guerrilla organisations. The French security services have been alerted that Condor may be planning on carrying out operations against JCR leaders in Paris.

In this memo, the Assistant Secretary of State, Harry Shlaudeman expresses concern regarding regional cooperation in the Southern Cone to eradicate subversion. Shlaudeman claims that the repercussions of which for the Western hemisphere are 'disturbing'. 

In this document, the CIA reports on the planned Condor operations to eliminate key political opponents of the military regimes who are exiled in Europe. Special mixed teams have been established and these 'Condoreje' officers will undertake a training course in Buenos Aires prior to their deployment to Europe.

The US Ambassador to Uruguay informs the State Department about his discussion with Uruguayan Commander-in-Chief General Julio Vadora and the Army Chief of Staff General Luis Queirolo regarding the human rights situation in the country.

In this staff note, the CIA mentions that Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay have committed to expanding their joint security operations to include the assassination of high-level opponents in Western Europe.

This CIA report notes that the Condor member countries have decided to suspend their plans to operate in Europe until Brazil decides whether it wishes to participate. For now, Brazil's participation will be limited to the provision of equipment for the Condortel communications network. Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay committed to operating in Europe (mainly France).

In this document, the CIA reports that Brazil had refused to partake in Condor operations against key political opponents in Europe. For now, Brazil will limit its contribution to the provision of equipment for the communications network "Condortel."

The Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy to Argentina, Maxwell Chaplin, informs the State Department in Washington that embassies in Argentina are expressing concern regarding cases of missing or arbitrarily detained foreign nationals taking place in the country.

Nota Verbal D-497/76 de fecha 12 de agosto de 1976 procedente de la Embajada de Uruguay en Chile, dirigida al Departamento de Asuntos Especiales del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Chile solicitando el permiso de sobrevuelo y aterrizaje para un avión de la Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya. Se adjunta formulario de solicitud detallando fecha y características del vuelo.

Ubicación: Dpto. de Archivo Histórico – Diplomático – Sección: Embajada de la ROU en Chile / Serie: Notas correlativas / Año 1976 / Caja 64 / Sobre 4 / 2 fojas.

This memorandum records a State Department meeting to discuss Operation Condor. Concerned by Condor's assassination plans, the State Department will send separate instructions to the US ambassadors in South American countries.

In this telegram to US Embassies in Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Santiago, Brasilia, and Asunción, the State Department acknowledges that while it accepts that cross-border intelligence sharing may be 'useful', it firmly opposes alleged plans to assassinate 'subversives' in Condor member countries and abroad. It calls the US Embassies to 'engage with the highest level of government' in Argentina, Bolivia, and Uruguay to dissuade such attacks.

In this memo from Raymond Warren, CIA Chief of the Latin American Division, to the Deputy Director of the CIA, Warren expresses concern that Condor's assassination plans could have possible adverse political and security ramifications for the Agency.

The US State Department instructs the US Embassies in South America on Operation Condor, following US government concerns regarding planned assassinations within and outside of member countries' territories.

This is a letter addressed to the Argentine dictator Videla from the Uruguayan politician, Wilson Ferreira who was a key non-leftist opponent of the Uruguayan dictatorship from his exile in Argentina. The letter follows the discovery of the bodies of Zelmar Michelini, Hector Gutierrez Ruiz, and two other unidentified Uruguayans. The handwritten date on the document is 24 August 1976, but the letter is likely to have been written in late May 1976, as it recounts the events surrounding Michelini and Gutierrez Ruiz's murders.

El documento consta de dos parte. La primera hoja, con membrete de la SNI/RJ, indica que se está transmitiendo un listado de personas subversivas requeridas por las autoridades de Uruguay a agencias de inteligencias militares de Brasil, como CENIMAR/RJ y CISA/RJ. La segunda hoja, firmada por el Jefe del Estado Mayor del Ejército de Uruguay, General Luis Queirolo, indica que se requiere la captura de las personas enumeradas en el listado a continuación por sus vínculos con organizaciones subversivas. La hoja contiene los nombres de seis personas, juntos con su fecha de nacimiento, su número de cédula de identidad y el último domicilio conocido. Se pide informar el Comando General del Ejército una vez que las personas hayan sido detenidas. El documento no está firmado.

Cuban diplomats in Buenos Aires believe that the Argentine government was responsible for the kidnapping of two of their colleagues on 9 August 1976. According to the document, the two Cuban diplomats were allegedly picked up and later killed by the Argentine State Intelligence Secretariat (SIDE) for their involvement with the Argentine People’s Revolutionary Army (ERP).

This detailed and lengthy telegram from the US Embassy in Buenos Aires to the State Department expresses concern regarding the human rights situation in Argentina. The Embassy mentions that the Government of Argentina has admitted to killing 450 terrorists since the military coup but the real number remains unknown. 

This memorandum written by Assistant Secretary of State for Latin America Harry Shlaudeman to Secretary Kissinger outlines options as to how US Ambassador to Uruguay, Ernest Victor Siracusa, should make representations to relevant authorities regarding the security situation in Uruguay and Operation Condor. 

This is a memorandum relating to a CIA-State Department meeting that occurred on 27 August 1976 in which Assistant Secretary for Latin America, Harry Shlaudeman, participated. According to the document, Shlaudeman said that making representations concerning Operation Condor to Pinochet would be futile. Most of the document is redacted.

This cable from the US Embassy in Buenos Aires discusses disappearances in Argentina. It notes that a two-year-old Uruguayan boy who had been taken with his parents on 13 July 1976 was quietly returned to relatives, whilst a second boy is still missing. In parallel, on 26 August 1976, the wife of poet Juan Gelman filed a writ of habeas corpus their his son, daughter, and daughter-in-law.  

This report published by Amnesty International provides an overview of the situation of refugees in Argentina prior to and following the military coup. It mentions the suspected operation of Uruguayan security forces on Argentine soil under the so-called 'Plan Mercurio' targeting Uruguayan leftists in Argentina. Argentine and Uruguayan security forces are suspected of jointly operating a clandestine detention centre in Argentina.

In this document, the US Embassy in Buenos Aires briefs the State Department in Washington that large numbers of refugees, mainly Uruguayan and Chilean nationals, have left Argentina over the past few months. A new piece of government regulation on 'illegal aliens' is raising alarms again.

Amnesty International urges the Argentine government to investigate allegations that Uruguayan security forces had kidnapped Uruguayan citizens in Buenos Aires. These allegations come after Uruguayan former trade union activist Washington Perez testified before Amnesty International.