Navigating Controversies: Understanding the Complexity of Perpetrator Studies in Chile

The study of the perpetrators of the Chilean dictatorship (1973-1990) has been a challenging undertaking. Although local studies on memory and human rights have partially integrated the perpetrator's role in discussions on violence, such inclusion has remained peripheral. Notably, prevailing investigations predominantly focus on biographical and anecdotal aspects of the perpetrators' lives, leading to an oversaturation in how scholars, artists, and activists approach their study.

This presentation addresses two key aspects of perpetrator studies. Firstly, I provide an overview and categorization of existing studies and approaches concerning the perpetrators of the Chilean dictatorship. This analysis underscores the rigidity of the perpetrator category compared to the significant space allotted to victims' figures and voices in studies on collective memory in post-conflict societies. Secondly, I explore the numerous challenges inherent in studying perpetrators, including the scarcity of sources due to "silent pacts," archive destruction, evidentiary loss, and persistent impunity. Investigators also face criticism and disapproval, hindering a comprehensive understanding of the subject.

The study of perpetrators in Chile remains controversial, making it challenging to move beyond a dichotomic representation of "pure evilness" without risking suspicion or condemnation. Concluding in light of the recent commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the coup, I reflect on the public representation of perpetrators and emphasize the importance of discussing and desacralizing their memories. This approach allows for a concrete analysis of their legal, political, and social responsibilities, enabling the recognition of the emergence of new perpetrators.