"Operation Colombo" defendants to be sent to Punta Peuco and Santiago I prisons

SANTIAGO.- 98 people, including military personnel and civilians are scheduled to be sent to the Punta Peuco and Santiago I prisons.  The individuals, who will be notified over the next few hours by Judge Victor Montiglio, are being summoned to the facility for their alleged participation in the so-called “Operation Colombo”. The operation has been denounced as an intelligence maneuver carried out by the Chilean Secret Police (DINA) at the beginning of the military regime that covered up the disappearance of political dissidents.

 The announcement was made today by the minister of Justice, Carlos Maldonado, after participating in the political committee meeting at La Moneda.

Maldonado stated that, due to the large number of people who will be summoned, Punta Peuco´s capacity will likely be exceeded and that “a number of people will have to go to Santiago I”. 

According to Maldonado, sending some of the defendants to Santiago I is a “perfectly” valid option, since the prison facility possesses security measures that are very similar to those at Punta Peuco.