“I have survived but 40 years later we still await truth and justice” [View all]

[Judi Lynn]

“I have survived but 40 years later we still await truth and justice” - Former Waterloo resident Javier Navarro reflects on the anniversary of Chile’s darkest day

Sep 19 2013
by Jamie Bowman, Crosby Herald

AS a packed Crosby Plaza rose to applaud him, Javier Navarro could be forgiven for shedding a tear or two as he reflected on the 40 years since his life was turned upside down.

Born in Chile in 1935, the former priest, politician and proud socialist was returning to the town which gave him sanctuary after months of torture and hardship at the hands of General Pinochet, one of the 20th century’s most brutal dictators.

“I had nightmares about being tortured for many years,” said Navarro. “The world knew of the murder and the disappearing and did nothing.

“People like the Liverpool dockers were like a beacon of hope for me and many other Chileans who fled, but the world closed its eyes to the massacre. And yet, in a small corner of the world called Waterloo, they were doing something about it and I thank you with all my heart.”

To understand how Javier came to be addressing a crowd in Waterloo, you have to first rewind to 1970 and the election of Salvador Allende as president of Chile.

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