In a dark chapter of Chilean history, a young 24-year-old socialist militant becomes the protagonist of a story of courage, survival, and resistance. Sergio Zamora, in his work “Seven hours in the hands of DINA”, Editorial Lom, takes us on a terrifying journey through the seven hours of captivity and torture that he lived through at the hands of the National Intelligence Directorate (DINA), the secret police of the Pinochet dictatorship. His account, narrated in the first person, sheds light on the inhuman torture practices of the time and the tireless fight for justice and human rights.
The Testimony of a Hero
Sergio Zamora, a Chilean writer living in France, narrates his experience as a DINA survivor. His story is a harrowing testimony of what it was like to face the brutality of the Pinochet regime. In 1975, after being apprehended while conducting a point of contact with his fellow party members, Sergio became a DINA prisoner. For seven hours, he suffered electric shocks and unimaginable torment, but his determination to survive and denounce the abuses committed in those torture centers led him to come up with a confusing but intuitive plan to escape his ordeal.
The Manual of the Political Resistance
“Seven hours in the hands of the DINA” could be considered the “Manual of the political resistance subjected to torture.” In the midst of agony, Sergio Zamora demonstrated extraordinary courage and cunning by devising an escape plan that allowed him to flee from his executioners. His story inspires and shows the strength of the human spirit in the darkest moments.
Sergio Zamora’s story had a significant impact on the fight for human rights in Chile and around the world. His escape the same day he was tortured provided irrefutable proof of the inhuman torture practices implemented by the civil-military dictatorship. This led to a change in the attitude of the Catholic Church and human rights organizations, which became more resolute in denouncing violations of fundamental rights.
The Legacy of Sergio Zamora
Sergio Zamora is not only known for his testimony on torture in Chile; he is a prolific author with more than a dozen literary and historical publications. In addition to his books, he has written chronicles and articles that have been published in France and Mexico, cementing his position as a tireless defender of justice and human rights.
Sergio Zamora’s Seven Hours in the Hands of DINA is a moving and courageous work that sheds light on a dark period in Chilean history. The story of his miraculous escape and his courageous testimony have left an indelible mark on the fight for human rights and the search for truth and justice in a world where brutality and oppression must not be forgotten. Sergio Zamora is a hero who reminds us of the importance of resistance and determination in the search for truth and justice.
