Search for Victims' Remains Resumes at Former Córdoba Detention Center 'La Perla'

In Córdoba, the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team (EAAF) has commenced a crucial new phase of its work at the infamous 'La Perla' clandestine detention center. This initiative, part of an ongoing commitment to uncovering the truth of the past, seeks to locate and identify the remains of those who were forcibly disappeared during Argentina's last military dictatorship. The operation, officially titled 'Campaña 2026 – La Perla,' is being conducted under the auspices of Federal Court No. 3 and is focused on the area known as Loma de Torito within the La Calera Military Nature Reserve.

The EAAF's meticulous work is vital for providing closure to families and ensuring that the atrocities of the past are not forgotten. The preliminary stages, involving site preparation and access clearing, have already begun, with the main excavation and archaeological studies set to start on May 4th. This new intervention covers three hectares, adjacent to a sector previously investigated in late 2025. The collaboration includes the Forensic Anthropology Service of the Judiciary of Córdoba and the National University of Córdoba, with logistical support from the provincial government and the Municipality of Córdoba. The project is funded through the National Judiciary Council.

This renewed effort at La Perla is particularly significant given the success of previous investigations. In March 2026, the judiciary announced the identification of 12 disappeared individuals based on skeletal fragments found during the 2025 excavations. Among those identified were Carlos Alberto Dambra Villares, José Nicolas Brizuela, and Ramiro Sergio Bustillo Rubio, to name a few. The center, which operated between 1976 and 1978, is estimated to have held around 2500 people, most of whom remain unaccounted for. The EAAF's ongoing commitment, supported by local institutions and judicial backing, ensures that the search for truth and justice continues, offering a glimmer of hope for reconciliation and remembrance in Argentina.

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The Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team announced that they will begin a second stage in the area known as Loma de Torito.