Father of ARA San Juan's Second Commander Testifies in Trial

The trial concerning the sinking of the ARA San Juan heard testimony from Jorge Bergallo, a retired naval captain and father of the submarine's second commander, Jorge Ignacio Bergallo. His testimony marked an emotional day, as he was the father of one of the 44 crew members lost when the vessel disappeared on November 15, 2017. Bergallo, who also served on the Technical Advisory Commission investigating the shipwreck, stated that his son never communicated any worries about the submarine's material condition or his personal safety. Responding to a question from a defense lawyer, Bergallo affirmed that his son never conveyed any concerns that would have caused him, as a father, any apprehension. He recalled conversations with his son and noted that photos exist showing his son and other crew members smiling on the bridge, appearing confident. Bergallo asserted that the ARA San Juan "met all the conditions for nautical safety of a submarine" when it departed from Mar del Plata in October 2017 for an operational mission that included patrolling for illegal fishing. He qualified this by saying he would not be as definitive if referring to a later stage. The unique position of Bergallo, being both a family member of a victim and part of the investigative commission, lent significant emotional weight to the hearing. Prosecutor María Garmendia acknowledged this, expressing condolences and assuring him the questioning would be handled with delicacy. Bergallo recounted that he was invited to join the advisory commission by the then-Minister of Defense, Oscar Aguad, in December 2017, shortly after the sinking. He initially declined twice before accepting the third invitation.

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He never made any comment to me that generated any concern, neither from a material point of view nor from a personal point of view.