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Original article: Miraflores 724 invita a su primer aniversario como Sitio de Memoria en Temuco

By Morín Ortiz

A year ago, the first memory site in the Araucanía Region, Miraflores 724, opened its doors. Located in the historic center of Temuco, this site served as a CNI detention center from 1981 to 1986, where 22 young men and women were brought after being arrested at a work camp in the El Rocío estate in Lautaro in January 1986. They were tortured and coerced into confessing.

“For us, the victims of torture and the military regime, it is crucial that future generations understand what happened here and reflect on human rights, ultimately embracing the ‘never again’ principle,” stated Víctor Jofré, a lawyer and former political prisoner.

To date, this is the only documented case, which resulted in a Supreme Court ruling in October 2011. The court sentenced agents Jorge Palacios Mery, Pedro Javier Guzmán Olivares, and Segundo Erasmo Bravo Huaiquiñir to 540 days of minimum security imprisonment for their roles in the illegal detention and torture of thirteen individuals in Temuco.

The investigation was essential for officially designating the Miraflores 724 Memory Site as a National Monument, categorized as a Historic Monument by the Ministry of National Assets, thanks to the dedicated work of the Association of Relatives of the Detained-Disappeared and Executed Political Prisoners of Araucanía.

From the Miraflores 724 Archive and Investigation Commission, it is emphasized that this is not the only case being investigated, as they work on uncovering other occurrences at this site during its time as a CNI headquarters.

Rodrigo Veas Aravena, a 27-year-old team member from the Communications Commission, highlights their goal of ensuring that new generations recognize memories as a driving force for action, facilitating movement towards a better, more democratic, diverse, and respectful society.

Rodrigo reflects on the crucial involvement of youth in Chile’s most pivotal political processes: “In this regard, Miraflores aims to create a space for reflection on the significance of memories and human rights as a shared responsibility.”

Among the activities they’ve organized are educational initiatives such as “Resisting at the Border: Memories and Human Rights in Araucanía,” seminars, book launches, documentary screenings, and various commemorative events in collaboration with regional organizations and institutions.

Consistently, secondary school students from various institutions across the region, as well as university students from both public and private colleges in Temuco, have participated in guided visits as part of their educational processes. “We believe it is essential for youths to leverage the educational value of this site as a platform for critical thinking,” Rodrigo stated.

One of the key figures behind this initiative is Marlenne Becker, a 36-year-old social worker and member of the Pedagogy Commission focusing on memories and human rights education. She cites the installation of a commemorative plaque in October 2025 as a significant milestone.

According to Marlenne, in the Araucanía Region, disputes over territorial memories are intensifying. “It is crucial for the Temuco community to recognize this site as a place of clandestine detentions and torture, which is now open to foster educational and memorial engagement, emphasizing its significance for survivors of crimes against humanity and their families.”

Regarding the rise of far-right governments, Marlenne states that this site holds ethical and political importance, particularly amid significant institutional setbacks and narratives characterized by high levels of denialism. “The capitalist system has deeply ingrained itself in individual and collective identities, thus having a space like this strengthens new political proposals.”

The community is invited to celebrate the 1st anniversary of the Miraflores 724 Memory Site on Friday, June 26, at 5:30 PM. Location: Miraflores #724, Temuco.

An artistic exhibition featuring donated works will take place, including “Embroidering Memory” from the Aguja Rebelde Collective, showcasing frames with the names of those who fell victim to the Chilean civic-military dictatorship in Araucanía. Musical performances will also be part of the event with “Cuentos Mestizos” and Ada Zambrano. Food will be provided for sharing. More information can be found on the Miraflores 724 Instagram.

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