Argentina’s Dictatorship Redefined “Desaparecido”

Argentine dictator Jorge Rafael Videla redefined the word “desaparecido” (disappeared) in 1979 during a press conference. He described a tiered system for handling detainees, distinguishing between those still missing, those presumed dead, and those with unknown status.

The term was already used by the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo to describe their missing children in 1978. Videla’s use of the word, however, cemented its meaning and broadened its use.

The concept of “desaparecidos” spread throughout Latin America and globally. The 1984 report by the National Commission on the Disappearance of Persons titled “Nunca Más” documented the practice. Linguistic analysis shows the word's use as a noun—rather than an adjective—is prevalent in 21 countries, particularly in Uruguay and Argentina.