Media in Argentina reported on a situation that It involved 35 soldiers from that country’s army, who were forced to participate in a baptism ritual that ended with all of them intoxicated and some hospitalized. Quicklime was thrown in their faces.
These types of ceremonies have been prohibited by the Argentine Ministry of Defense since the death of a young man named Matías Chirino at a similar event in Paso de los Libres, Corrientes.
The episode, which is under investigation by the Argentine Prosecutor’s Office, headed by Carlos Casas Nóblega, began when the soldiers were forced to form a line and kneel. The superiors shouted “Paratroopers” and the soldiers had to respond “Always.” Taking advantage of the fact that to pronounce that word they had to open their mouths, they threw quicklime at them.
‘Baptism’ with quicklime in the Argentine Army
Traditionally, This ceremony is performed with flour and cider on the head, but on this occasion, instead of flour, quicklime was used. As the lime fell on their faces, some soldiers collapsed to the ground while others mocked the situation.
According to local media outlet Perfil, lawyer Jerónimo Argañaraz, who is assisting the victims, confirmed that all of them were poisoned with clinical symptoms of varying severity. The most serious case is that of a soldier with burns on his stomach. Others suffered injuries to their eyes, esophagus and lungs. All of those affected are between 20 and 25 years old.
The most worrying thing is that, in addition to the physical suffering, there was an attempt to cover up the incident. According to Argañaraz, this constitutes a clear abuse of authority. “There is a maxim that says that dirty laundry is washed inside,” said the lawyer, indicating that false reports were drawn up in order to prevent the incident from becoming known and the sanctions from being handled internally.
“They are terrified, they are afraid,” said Argañaraz, who emphasized: “There was no mistake here, they threw lime at them one by one; How are they not going to realize that it wasn’t flour? The lawyer also warned that, in a subsequent act, the Army behaved like a “vertical and clandestine organization by carrying out a summary with false records.”
An investigation has been opened in the Federal Court, testimonies have been taken and various measures are being taken, although there are still no charges.
This tragic incident highlights the need to strengthen measures to control and prohibit dangerous rituals within the armed forces, ensuring that those responsible face the legal consequences of their actions.
