Former Argentine Navy chief gets 3-year suspended sentence for submarine disaster

Claudio Villamide, the former commander of the Argentine Navy, has been handed a three-year suspended prison sentence for his involvement in the 2017 sinking of the ARA San Juan submarine, an incident that claimed the lives of all 44 crew members. A federal court in Río Gallegos delivered the verdict, finding Villamide guilty of "intentional destruction with aggravating circumstances and dereliction of duty as a public official."

The prosecution had argued that a faulty valve led to water entering the submarine's battery compartment, causing a fire and subsequent explosion. They further contended that Villamide ignored requests to send the ARA San Juan for safety inspections in a dry dock. Prosecutors had sought a five-year prison sentence, but the court ultimately imposed a suspended sentence, meaning Villamide will not serve time in jail as long as he maintains a fixed residence and reports to the police regularly.

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This is a significant step forward. This verdict does partial justice. It is important that we have been able to demonstrate Mr. Villamide's guilt. These are 44 deaths that could have been prevented and this is a message to the armed forces and the state that they must watch over the servants of the fatherland. Even if there are acquittals, this is a victory.

While Villamide was the primary defendant, three other senior officers facing charges were acquitted by the court. Valeria Carreras, an attorney representing the victims' families, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, describing it as a "significant step forward" and a "partial victory." She emphasized the importance of establishing Villamide's culpability, stating, "This is a message to the armed forces and the state that they must watch over the servants of the fatherland." The defense had sought an acquittal, arguing Villamide acted in accordance with naval regulations. It remains unclear if Villamide intends to appeal the ruling.

The ARA San Juan disappeared in November 2017 while en route back to its base in Mar del Plata after departing from Ushuaia. The submarine transmitted a final message detailing an electrical malfunction and the start of a fire before losing contact. A large international search operation involving 28 vessels, 9 aircraft, and 4,000 personnel from 18 countries was launched but failed to locate the submarine. The search for survivors was called off after 15 days, confirming the tragic loss of all 44 crew members. Wreckage of the submarine now lies scattered on the ocean floor.

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in accordance with the maritime rules