A former lieutenant from Córdoba was convicted of torture practices during military training.

Federal Oral Court No. 1 of Mendoza sentenced Lucas Daure Suárez for inflicting physical torment and psychological humiliation in 2015. The abuses were committed against volunteer soldiers during irregular training sessions at an Army base in Mendoza. The victims stated that they received beatings, electric shocks, and simulated suffocation with plastic bags.

The incidents took place at Mountain Communications Company 8, located in the province of Mendoza, and were reported within the Army itself. The court determined that the practices were outside military regulations and had the sole purpose of humiliating the applicants. The accused was no longer part of the force at the time of the trial and was working at a technology company in Canada.

Daure Suárez was sentenced to one and a half years of suspended imprisonment, without going to prison, and was disqualified from holding public office. Alongside him, Sergeant Assistant Sixto Pucheta Velázquez was also sentenced, as he participated in the same training sessions. Both were found guilty of abusing the power granted to them by their military rank during instruction.

The ruling highlights the illegality of punishments used in the name of discipline

The court described as "illegal" the exercises known as "prisoner camp" and "war chasqui," to which the young soldiers were subjected. Testimonies revealed scenes of simulated interrogations in which they were soaked, blindfolded, and beaten with brutality. One conscript stated that water was poured on him, believing it was gasoline, and then he was subjected to an electric cattle prod.

These actions not only lacked regulatory support but also undermined the dignity and integrity of the applicants. According to the judges, there was a deliberate intention to punish, humiliate, and subdue the volunteers through fear and physical violence. The sentence makes it clear that this type of abuse can't be normalized as part of military training.

The former lieutenant's training as a pilot and military instructor did not prevent him from developing these aberrant and humiliating methods. Although he now works in the private sector, Argentine justice managed to hold him accountable for the violations committed. The ruling seeks to set a precedent to prevent this type of practice from recurring within the forces.

This type of conduct deeply dishonors the work of the Argentine Armed Forces, which today play a prominent role in serving the nation. Meanwhile, while the current national government seeks to vindicate the image of the committed and professional soldier, these events overshadow that effort. Punishing these abuses firmly is key to preserving the prestige and institutional integrity that our forces deserve.