Martín Almada, who fought US-backed Latin American dictatorships, dies in his native Paraguay

Martín Almada, a Paraguayan educator, human rights activist and 2002 Right Livelihood Laureate, passed away on March 30 at the age of 87. He left behind a monumental legacy of fighting against repressive military regimes and advancing human rights in Latin America.

“Martín Almada’s tireless efforts to unveil the truth behind the CIA-backed Operation Condor and advocate for human rights in Latin America have left an indelible mark on our world,” said Ole von Uexkull, Right Livelihood’s Executive Director. “His courage in the face of adversity embodies the spirit of the Right Livelihood Award, inspiring future generations to continue the fight for justice and peace.”

Born in 1937 to a low-income family, he studied law and education. For his doctoral thesis entitled “Paraguay, education and dependency”, he was branded an “intellectual terrorist” by the military authorities that illegally detained, tortured, and forced him into exile.

Returning to Paraguay after President Alfredo Stroessner’s dictatorial regime had been overthrown, Almada uncovered the “Terror Archives” in 1992 using the recently-enshrined law providing citizens access to personal information collected by the government. The archives, containing three tons of military documentation on the Condor Plan, served as evidence in trials for crimes against humanity. Recognised by UNESCO as part of “Memory of the World,” the Terror Archives are the most important collection of documents ever recovered about state terror on the continent.

Almada’s work, recognised globally, demonstrates an unwavering commitment to human rights, education, and environmental protection. His efforts to educate future generations and advocate for a just society will continue to inspire those committed to human dignity and justice worldwide.

“I grew up on the streets, and the harshness of the streets convinced me that education is the way to change towards a better world,” said Almada when receiving the Right Livelihood Award in 2002. He was recognised “for his outstanding courage in bringing torturers to justice, and promoting democracy, human rights and sustainable development.”

Together with María Stella Cáceres, his partner for the past 40 years, Almada founded the Museum of Memories in Paraguay, emphasising the importance of remembering past atrocities to prevent them in the future.

“Martín leaves us with an immense work agenda for human rights,” Cáceres told us after his passing. “We’ll continue waving that flag.”