Laura Carlotto

Laura Estela De Carlotto (February 21, 1955 – August 24, 1978) was born in La Plata, Argentina to Estela de Carlotto and Guido Carlotto. Laura was a left wing Peronist in Argentina. Laura studied history at the National University of La Plata where she was a member of the Peronist University Youth and a member of the Montoneros. In 1976, Laura and her husband Oscar Walmir Montoya lived in an apartment complex with friends across the street from the police station. Laura and her friends all were political activists and believed that living by the police station would eliminate them from being suspected as political dissidents, but that was not the end result. Laura's residence was used as a refugee for other militants in the Peronist University Youth and she created a book “Laura, Vida y Militancia“ that delves in depth their lives and actions as political activists. Oscar was not only an activist, but also an artist. Laura tells of their graffiti projects and use of art to spread their political message in her book. During the year 1976, the government of Argentina passes reforms enforcing anti subversion legislation. These reforms include allowing for repression and use of the death penalty if seen as necessary.[1]

Under the dictatorial rule of the Military Junta led by Lieutenant General Jorge Rafael Videla, Laura created a new guerilla name to protect her true identity, she became known as Rita.

Kidnapping and death

Laura and Oscar were kidnapped while in the Capital Federal Confectionery in November 1977 while being two and a half months pregnant. The two were accused of going underground and committing acts of terrorism against the government. Any actions perceived as going against the government at this time was considered terrorism no matter the severity. In August of the same year Guido Carlotto was kidnapped by the same forces and under the same accusations. Guido's wife Estela, paid 45 million pesos to expedite his release. Although Estela was able to receive her husband back, she would not be so lucky in regards to her daughter Laura. Laura and her husband were taken to the Navy Mechanics School, where political dissidents were tortured and humiliated by military leaders. The Navy Mechanics School split up couples and families torturing them separately in hopes of finding out information. It was there that the officers found out about Laura being pregnant and her torture stopped for the time being. The officers were instructed to cease torture of pregnant women, because the government wanted to ensure the delivery of a healthy baby. Unfortunately, Oscar's torture was continued and officers in this specific detention center later killed him. [2]

On June 28, 1978, Laura was transferred to the Buenos Aries Military hospital. This hospital was used to guarantee the political prisoner had a safe delivery process. Although Laura was given the medical attention she required, she was still a political prisoner and gave birth handcuffed to her stretcher. Laura gave birth to a son she named Ignacio Montoya Carlotto, who was named after her father Guido. Laura was only allowed to interact with her baby for five hours before he was taken from her. Ignacio, like hundreds of other babies born to political prisoners, was taken from his biological mother and given to a family that was in support of the military junta. After giving birth, Laura was transferred to another clandestine detention center in La Plata, Argentina where she was killed two months later. On August 24, 1978, military officers dragged her out of bed around 1 AM and proceeded with a mock-armed confrontation simulated by military officers. It was there she was shot in the back repeatedly and beaten with the butt of a rifle. Military officers turned over Laura's body to a funeral home where her mother was able to retrieve her body, Laura's face was smashed and body torn by bullets.[3]

Survivors of the detention center told Estela about Laura's pregnancy and that she named her son Ignacio after her father. Through the group Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo, Estela de Carlotto was able to reunite with her grandson Ignacio. She continues to help other mothers and grandmothers find their lost children and grandchildren. She was fortunate enough to reunite with her family and hopes others will be able to do the same all in honor of her daughter Laura Estela de Carlotto.[4]

References
  1. "La historia del secuestro de Laura Carlotto". La Nacion. Sa La Nacion. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  2. "Laura Carlotto: la militante hija de Estela a quien le robaron a Guido". Perfil. Perfil. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  3. Reyes, Ignacio de los. "El encuentro entre Ignacio y Estela de Carlotto: "La verdad no es buena ni mala. Es la verdad. Y hay que saberla"". BBC Mundo. BBC Mundo. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  4. Goni, Uki. "A grandmother's 36-year hunt for the child stolen by the Argentinian junta". The Guardian. The Guardian. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
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