The Justice Studies Department hosted an event titled “The Dirty War in Mexico: Militants, Guerrilleros, and Disappeared Political Prisoners” on Sept. 23. The event was co-sponsored by the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, the Latino and Latin American Studies Program, and NEIU’s Academic Development. The event was presented in Spanish by Professor Hugo Velasquez Villa, with English translation by Bruce Tyler. Villa commenced the event by mentioning the various dirty wars and disappearances of thousands of individuals that took place in Latin America during the oppressive dictatorships of the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. He then asked the audience why there was very little to no coverage of Mexico’s dirty war and the guerilla movements associated with the disappearances.
“You always hear about the dirty wars of the Tupamarus and the Uruguayan government and of the Monteneros and the Argentinean government, but you never really hear about the 52 guerilla uprisings that have occurred in Mexico since the 70’s,” said Villa.
At least 1,300 people were kidnapped and “disappeared” in Mexico from 1972-1977. Currently there are around 18-20 guerrilla movements active in Mexico, with The Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) being the most commonly known. An example of how extreme the dirty war in Mexico was during the 70’s was seen when Villa explained what occurred in the state of Guerrero. Over 600 people had disappeared, but what was more surprising was that the media outlets never hid the violence. Everyone knew about what was going on. Villa explained the phenomenon that was engulfing Mexico.”If nobody did anything, it was because nobody wanted to do anything,” said Villa.
Villa then explained how the mentality of the past in Mexico is drastically different from other countries.”Mexico’s culture in memory is different than in Argentina, El Salvador, or Uruguay; Mexicans do not care about the past,” said Villa.
Villa said that this mode of thinking has shrouded the dirty war in Mexico, resulting in its obscurity. He also explained how most of the generals and politicians that were involved in these atrocities walk free in the streets of Mexico because of the attention the dirty war in Mexico has received throughout the years.
Villa is a professor at the University of Guadalajara, Mexico teaching under the Department of Social Studies. He is the author of several books that focus on Mexican guerilla movements and their effects on Mexican politics and military.