LA NACION, CLARIN (Argentina)
VIÑA DEL MAR – The Chilean government has called an investigation to identify and sanction marines caught on tape chanting “Argentines I will kill, Bolivians I will shoot, Peruvians I will cut their throats.”
About 30 marine cadets from the Naval Polytechnic Academy were filmed chanting their offensive song as they were jogging along the coast of Viña del Mar. The video was filmed by tourists and posted online early February.
President Sebastián Piñera described the video as “highly embarrassing,” while Admiral Edmundo González, commander in chief of the Chilean Army, called the incident “unacceptable”. Chief-of-Staff Cecilia Pérez said it was “shameful” and did “not accompany at all the spirit of the institution.”
The Chilean Navy issued a statement saying it expressly rejects the offensive chant, reports La Nacion: “These practices distance us from the spirit and doctrine of the institution, which is why, we regret the events and reiterate that we will take necessary measures to avoid situations as this.”
One of the most critical reactions was from Chilean Member of Parliament Hugo Gutiérrez, who said: “The song is an aberration, and it shows the double morale of the Chilean state, on one side it predicates understanding ways in international forums and in the Hague Tribunal, while on the other side there are army officials signing that they will kill Argentinians and decapitate Peruvians.”
Member of Parliament Gonzalo Arena did not agree, arguing: “I was a cadet 20 years ago and we sang the same things… they are ready to go to war. What does the Army expect? That cadets sing nursery rhymes?”
Argentina sent a letter affirming the values of “brotherhood and integrate that unite the peoples and governments of Argentina and Chile, as well as throughout Latin America.” Bolivia, however, announced that they would sue, according to Clarín.
Argentinian cadets were quick to react with their own video, in which they chant: “Chilean be careful, because one dark night in your house, I will come and slit your throat, drink your blood and your underwear will stink.”
