Where were you thirty years ago? I was just being born. Seems like a long time ago that an important chapter in the history of Latin America was being written, but the fact is it’s still as fresh in the minds of many as if it were yesterday.

On Friday, Argentines commemorated the 30th anniversary of the military coup that would mark the beginning of a dictatorship and claim the lives of tens of thousands of innocent people. It all started on a normal day in Buenos Aires’ Plaza de Mayo, a porteño symbol and a place whose name has become synonomous with oppression and death.

Thitry years ago, on March 24 1976, a military commitee headedup by Jorge Rafael Videla and comprised of Admiral Eduardo Massera and Brigadier Ramón Orlando Agosti gained power through a coup de etat.

There began a dictatorship that is said to have claimed between 9000 and 30,000 victims, and that didn’t end until October of 1983, with the election of Raúl Alfonsín as president of Argentina.

At a time when Americans, Europeans and other privileged pueblos are celebrating Argentina as the hottest new tourist destination, Argentines are remembering their country’s history for what it was: dark, ugly and bloody.

“It’s very powerful, taking to the streets now when you take into account that 30 years have passed”, said Julio Talavera, member of the “Children of Plaza de Mayo” and whose father was kidnapped by the army in 1977 when he was 3 years old.

Talavera, who in addition to losing his father was made to witness the torture sessions his mother was submitted to, warned “The human rights violations of today, the political prisoners, the quick triggered police and the lack of jobs also generate strong contradictions”.

The group “Madres de Plaza de Mayo” held a vigil on Friday which ran through to 3:00 a.m. the next day, as did other groups in various parts of Buenos Aires. The President of Argentina called for a day of national remembrance, closing offices and schools.

Still, the pain lingers, as mothers who lost their children 30 years ago still have not found answers nor have their killers found justice. Children left parentless 30 years ago still know the pain of being stripped of their mothers and fathers. When the mothers and the kids are gone, years from now, will Argentina and Latin America remember today’s cries of “Nunca más”? Let’s hope that this piece of history will never repeat itself.

Via / 20 Minutos