On July 18, 1994, Buenos Aires witnessed the deadliest terrorist attack in Argentina's history when a bomb exploded at the headquarters of the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association (AMIA). The explosion claimed 85 lives and injured over 300 people, leaving a scar that remains unhealed 30 years later.
Every year, a siren sounds at 9:53 AM on July 18 to commemorate the victims, but justice remains elusive. The Argentine Justice system has pointed fingers at Iran and Hezbollah, yet no arrests or convictions have been made. The initial investigation led by Judge Juan José Galeano was marred by irregularities and corruption, resulting in his dismissal and subsequent conviction for covering up the case.
In 2004, under the presidency of Néstor Kirchner, a special prosecutor's office was established, headed by Alberto Nisman, who accused nine members of the Iranian government and Hezbollah of orchestrating the attack. Despite Interpol issuing international detention 'red alerts' for some of these individuals, no significant progress has been made in bringing them to justice.
The investigation faced further complications in 2013 when the government of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner signed a memorandum of understanding with Iran, ostensibly to facilitate the investigation. However, this memorandum was later declared unconstitutional by Argentine courts, and Nisman accused Fernández de Kirchner of attempting to cover up the attack. Nisman was found dead in 2015, a case that remains unresolved.
The Inter-American Court of Human Rights recently condemned the Argentine State for failing to investigate the attack and its cover-up adequately. The court highlighted that the state's actions had prevented victims and their families from knowing the truth.
The AMIA Prosecutorial Unit, now led by prosecutor Sebastián Basso, continues to pursue the hypothesis that Hezbollah and Iran were responsible for the attack. Efforts are ongoing to secure the arrest of Iranian and Lebanese individuals believed to be involved. The Argentine government, under Javier Milei, has proposed enabling trials in absentia for those accused of crimes against humanity or terrorism.
As the 30th anniversary of the attack approaches, families of the victims and various organizations continue to demand justice. Memorial events will be held, including a demonstration by Memoria Activa and a call by the Association for the Clarification of the Unpunished Massacre of the AMIA (Apemia) to open state archives and form an independent investigative commission.
