Argentine ex-naval chief sentenced over 2017 submarine sinking that killed 44

A court in Argentina has handed down a conditional three-year prison sentence to former naval chief Claudio Villamide. He was found guilty of negligence and dereliction of duty in connection with the 2017 sinking of the submarine ARA San Juan, a tragedy that claimed the lives of all 44 crew members. The submarine imploded in the South Atlantic, marking one of the Argentine Navy's worst peacetime disasters.

The federal court in Santa Cruz province also acquitted three other senior officers who stood trial alongside Villamide. This outcome has drawn criticism from the families of the victims, who are represented by lawyer Valeria Carreras. Carreras stated that the families will appeal the acquittals and seek more severe penalties for those involved.

"It is important that we were able to prove Villamide's guilt," Carreras told AFP, emphasizing that the deaths were avoidable. She views the sentence as a message to the Armed Forces and the state to better protect service members. However, she admitted to feeling "some disappointment" over the acquittals.

The prosecution had argued that Villamide failed to account for the submarine's poor condition when it began its patrol mission. The vessel reportedly had an immersion restriction due to pending tests after undergoing mid-life repairs. The court's sentence means Villamide, 62, will not serve actual prison time but must report his address and check in with authorities during his sentence.

Despite the conviction, the exact causes of the sinking remain unclear. The submarine had reported a battery compartment malfunction and a fire. It submerged beyond 100 meters on November 15, 2017, before imploding. An international search operation was launched, initially with hopes of finding survivors.