Book review of: Sabrina Castronuovo (2023). Cárcel común, preso político. Represión y tortura en tiempo de Frondizi (1958-1962). Rosario: Prohistoria, 224 págs.

Abstract

Those of us who closely followed the trial of the military juntas that carried out the self-proclaimed dictatorship, the "National Reorganization Process," recall the participation of former President Arturo Frondizi, with his testimony in favor of a reconciliation that entailed forgetting the actions taken within the framework of state repression. His justification was that hatred and the trials of the military could not continue because it was necessary to dedicate ourselves to building the country, together with them. He even said he had forgiven those who had murdered his brother Silvio, presenting himself as an example and thereby revealing that his individual position prevailed over what should be an institutional stance. In contrast, the then president, Raúl R. Alfonsín, had proposed a different approach, which was materialized in the trial of the military juntas themselves. In short, he argued that democracy could not be founded on impunity and therefore, there could be no forgetting.