Zelmar Michelini facts for kids

Zelmar Raúl Michelini Guarch (born May 20, 1924 – died May 20, 1976) was an important reporter and politician from Uruguay. He was sadly killed in Buenos Aires in 1976. This happened as part of something called Operation Condor, which was a secret plan by several South American governments.

Zelmar Michelini's Career

Zelmar Michelini was a very active person in Uruguayan politics. He started his career in the government in 1954.

Early Political Life

From 1954 to 1958, he was a member of the Chamber of Deputies. This is like a group of elected people who help make laws for the country. Later, in 1966, he became a member of the Chamber of Senators, which is another important part of the government that helps create laws.

Working in Government

Michelini also served as the Minister of Industry. This meant he was in charge of things related to factories and businesses in Uruguay. He worked under President Oscar Diego Gestido, who belonged to the Colorado Party.

However, in 1970, Michelini decided to leave his job. He disagreed with some of the government's choices.

Starting the Broad Front

After leaving the Colorado Party, Zelmar Michelini helped start a new political group. This group was called the Frente Amplio, which means "Broad Front." It brought together different left-wing groups and parties, like the Communist Party and the Socialist Party. The Broad Front was formed in 1971.

Michelini became a senator again in 1971 as a member of this new group.

Speaking Out for Human Rights

In 1973, there was a big change in Uruguay's government, called a coup. This meant the military took control, and the country became a dictatorship. Because of this, Zelmar Michelini had to leave Uruguay and went to live in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

From Buenos Aires, he continued to speak out. He told the world about the unfair things happening in Uruguay under the new government. He talked about how people's basic rights were being taken away.

His Kidnapping and Death

Zelmar Michelini's life ended tragically in 1976.

The Kidnapping

On May 18, 1976, a group of people acting outside the law took Michelini. This group was called a paramilitary group.

Discovery of His Body

His body was found a few days later, on May 21, in an abandoned car in Buenos Aires. He had been killed.

Three other people were found in the same car. They were Héctor Gutiérrez Ruiz, who was also an important Uruguayan politician, and two activists named William Whitelaw and Rosario del Carmen Barredo. They had also been killed.

Seeking Justice

Years later, in 2006, a judge started an investigation into these deaths. The former leader of Uruguay, Bordaberry, and a former government minister, Juan Carlos Blanco Estradé, were held accountable for their roles in these events. An Uruguayan police officer, Hugo Campos, was also suspected of being involved.

See also

• Operation Condor
• List of Uruguayan political families