quicklime and cider. That was the “rite of initiation” with which the Third Corps of the Army, in Córdoba, celebrated the completion of training of 35 young people from the 14th Parachute Regiment. The “baptism”, which occurred on May 17, ended with 20 of the young parachutists with burns to the esophagus, stomach, lungs and eyes. The Argentine Army issued a statement in which they assured that it was “a mistake” and that instead of quicklime, they should have sprinkled flour.
The “initiation rite” or “baptism” became known through a video that went viral on social networks and forced the Army to give explanations. From 2022, the celebrations and initiation ceremonies were prohibited by order of the Ministry of Defense, then in charge of Jorge Taiana, after the death of Matías Chirino, 22, who died after a ritual that involved alcohol consumption, strenuous exercise and immersion in a cold and dirty pool.
In the video that circulated on social networks, you can see how a superior of the young paratroopers was in charge of yelling at them “Paratroopers!”, with the order that they respond “Always!” to, at that moment, throw the “flour” into the mouth. That action was what caused the internal burns; and that according to the Army it was repeated not only with that group of 35, affected by the “error”, but with a group of 221 graduates.
After the incident was made public, it was investigated by the Federal Prosecutor’s Office No. 2, headed by Carlos Casas Nóblega. Attorney Jerónimo Argañaraz, representing one of the complainants, ruled out that it was due to an “error” and pointed out that there was no “consent of the soldiers.”
The lawyer, in dialogue with the channel Twelve of Córdobamaintained that others affected by the rite do not dare to report because “a high-ranking boss found out that some called the ART to see if it could cover their medical conditions and when he found out he called them together and told them that they were authorized to take them from the neck to those who were going to the ART or notifying judicial authorities.
According to the Army statement, the young people were “evacuated to the Córdoba Military Hospital, where they received medical attention and studies were carried out.” And he added: “A small group was under observation and later discharged.” In addition, it was indicated that “internal disciplinary actions were ordered, within the framework of which the existence of a disciplinary offense due to lack of control was determined” and “the corresponding disciplinary sanctions were imposed on all those responsible.”
“There is a maxim that says that dirty clothes are washed indoors, which is why false reports were drawn up with the aim of ensuring that it does not spread and sanctions are applied indoors. “, denounced lawyer Argarañaz contrary to the Army’s version.
According to the Taiana resolution in 2022, the “rites and ceremonies of initiation, with the intended objective of celebrating the beginning or completion of certain activities, do not correspond to acts of service linked to the military profession and are contrary to the maintenance of the discipline.”
The resolution indicated that in cases such as the one that occurred in Córdoba, disciplinary actions must be initiated, which could be classified as “very serious misconduct,” in the terms of article 13 of Law No. 26,394.
“It is necessary to work on the prevention of interpersonal violence, through education in training and improvement institutes for officers and non-commissioned officers,” said the statement from the Ministry of Defense when the prohibition of these rites was ordered. The current minister Luis Petri, returning from the tour of the Czech Republic, did not comment on the matter.
