The Colombian state entity responsible for locating and identifying more than 135,000 individuals who have vanished during the nation's six-decade civil conflict has officially announced the identification of Camilo Torres' remains. Torres, a Catholic priest renowned for his membership in the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebel group, was killed in combat in the 1960s, and his identification marks a significant milestone in Colombia's ongoing efforts to address historical disappearances.
Decades-Long Search Concludes with Forensic Breakthrough
The Search Unit for Disappeared People (UBPD), established by a 2016 peace agreement between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrilla group, spearheaded the investigation. This unit is tasked with managing archival and forensic initiatives to locate disappeared persons, encompassing victims of forced disappearances by right-wing paramilitaries, rebel factions, state security forces, individuals coerced into joining armed groups, missing soldiers, and others affected by the conflict.
Utilising Public and Classified Records
UBPD Director Luz Janeth Forero revealed to journalists that the search unit employed a combination of public and classified documents, including records from the military justice system, to pinpoint where Torres' remains had been buried by the military following his death. This meticulous approach involved cross-referencing historical data with modern forensic techniques.
In 2024, DNA samples extracted from bones discovered in the military section of a cemetery in Bucaramanga were compared with a sample taken from the exhumed remains of Torres' father, Calisto, from a Bogota cemetery. This comparison confirmed the identity of the legendary priest, bringing closure to a case that had remained unresolved for six decades.
Handover on the 60th Anniversary of His Death
Forero stated, "After 60 years of disappearance, the search unit found, identified and completed a dignified handover of Father Camilo Torres." The remains were handed over to Javier Giraldo, a Catholic priest celebrated for his activism on behalf of conflict victims, on Sunday, which coincided with the 60th anniversary of Torres' death. Giraldo acknowledged the persistent efforts of Torres' mother, Isabel Restrepo, who sought to find her son during her lifetime.
Legacy and Burial Plans
Giraldo announced that Torres will be laid to rest at Bogota's National University, where he previously studied and served as a chaplain. Although the Catholic Church historically disapproved of Torres' involvement with the ELN, Giraldo noted a growing openness to discussing his legacy as a chaplain, activist, and social justice thinker. This shift reflects broader societal attempts to reconcile with Colombia's complex past.
Broader Impact of the Search Unit's Work
Since commencing operations in 2017, the UBPD has made substantial progress, locating nearly 5,000 remains and successfully identifying and returning approximately 700 to their families. Additionally, the unit has found 500 living individuals who were previously reported as disappeared, highlighting its multifaceted role in addressing the human toll of the conflict.
The ELN, founded in 1964 and still active today, has been accused of forced disappearances and has engaged in intermittent peace talks with various governments. In December, the group expressed willingness to resume negotiations, underscoring the ongoing relevance of Torres' story in contemporary peace efforts.
Camilo Torres, born into a well-connected Bogota family, was a proponent of liberation theology, a Catholic, anti-imperialist social justice movement. He joined the ELN approximately four months before his death and was killed in February 1966 during a skirmish with the army in eastern Santander province. His identification not only provides personal closure but also serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring quest for truth and reconciliation in Colombia.
