An icon of the Argentine and Latin American left and a friend of former socialist leaders such as Cuban Fidel Castro and Venezuelan Hugo Chávez, Hebe de Bonafini was honored by politicians and personalities inside and outside Argentina after her death was announced, this Sunday (20 ).
The co-founder of Mothers of Plaza de Mayo, who had two children who disappeared during the Argentine dictatorship, followed a trajectory marked by the struggle in search of victims and also by left-wing activism, which led her to support kirchnerism and generated internal rifts with fellow members of the group.
He defended Peronism based on his personal history, since he said that, in his childhood, “there were no vacations, regulated work schedules, unions or vacations”—included in the labor laws enacted by Perón.
The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo, ignored by the major Argentine newspapers during the dictatorship, began to seek out the press in other countries to carry out their denouncements. This is how Bonafini’s international fame spread, drawing attention to crimes against humanity that were taking place in Argentina.
CRISTINA KIRCHNER, VICE-PRESIDENT OF ARGENTINA
“Dearest Hebe, Mother of Plaza de Mayo, world symbol of the fight for Human Rights, pride of Argentina. God called you on National Sovereignty Day… it must not be a coincidence. Just thank you and see you forever.”
ALBERTO FERNANDEZ, PRESIDENT OF ARGENTINA
“With the departure of Hebe de Bonafini, we lost a tireless fighter. Demanding truth and justice together with the Mothers and Grandmothers, she faced the genocide when collective common sense went in the other direction. With great affection and sincere regret, I say goodbye.”
EVO MORALES, FORMER PRESIDENT OF BOLIVIA
” Very saddened and dismayed by the departure of Sister Hebe de Bonafini, historic, highly respected and beloved president of the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo. Her tireless and incorruptible fight against dictatorships for memory, truth and justice is an example for the new generations. Sister Hebe will live forever in the memory of workers, indigenous peoples, committed leaders and social movements of #PátriaGrande, who march together with the banners of defense of human rights from Plaza de Mayo to the ends of the world.”
NICOLAS MADURO, DICTATOR OF VENEZUELA
“Pátria Grande honors a valuable woman, fighter and profoundly revolutionary” and stated that Bonafini will be “forever in the hearts of the Venezuelan and Latin American people. Great Hebe de Bonafini! We will remember you forever.”
GUILHERME BOULOS, FEDERAL DEPUTY (PSOL-SP)
“Hebe de Bonafini, founder of the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo association in Argentina, left today. The dictatorship took away her sons Jorge Omar and Raúl. She was a tireless fighter. Go in peace, Hebe!”
MANUELA DÁVILA, FORMER MEMBERS
“The mother who, together with others, changed the history of Argentina and Latin America has died. Hebe de Bonafini led the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo, denouncing the kidnapping of her sons Jorge and Raul.”
GRANDPARENTS OF PRAÇA DE MAIO
“We mourn the departure of Hebe de Bonafini, Mother of Plaza de Mayo, sister in this fight for the disappearance of our children. We embrace her colleagues and family. Until forever!”
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