Beltrán Benedit defends visit to prisoners convicted of crimes against humanity

During a session in the Argentine Chamber of Deputies, Representative Beltrán Benedit of La Libertad Avanza defended his 2024 visit to prisoners convicted of crimes against humanity at the Ezeiza Federal Unit. Benedit, who was photographed with detainees including Alfredo Astiz, justified the visit by stating that in a country of believers, it is a “good custom to accompany the sick, visit prisoners and help those in need.”

Benedit contested the use of the term “genocide” in Argentina, claiming no citizen has been convicted of such a crime. He further characterized the combatants of the 1970s as “terrorist subversive forces” acting under a plan led by Mario Santucho. His remarks prompted a confrontation with Germán Martínez of Unión por la Patria, who attempted to lead his bloc out of the legislative chamber in protest.