In humiliation, Argentina says manhunt still on for fugitives

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

World | Sat Jan 9, 2016 8:33pm EST

In humiliation, Argentina says manhunt still on for fugitives

BUENOS AIRES | BY JORGE OTAOLA AND RICHARD LOUGH

President Mauricio Macri was humiliated on Saturday after Argentina's federal police chief admitted a manhunt was still on for two of the South American country's most notorious criminals, hours after the government celebrated their capture.

A massive search involving helicopters, police commandos and sharpshooters for three prison fugitives convicted of drug gang-related killings appeared to have ended when Macri congratulated the security forces on his official Twitter account.

But as one of the three men, Martin Lanatta, was transferred under armed guard from a local police station in the farming province of Santa Fe to the capital Buenos Aires, confusion intensified over the whereabouts of the two others: Lanatta's brother Cristian and a third man, Victor Schillaci.

"We're still looking for the other fugitives," acknowledged Roman Di Santo, head of the Argentine Federal Police force.

The 13-day search operation for the men has gripped the Argentine nation and the revelation that two remain on the run will deliver an embarrassing blow to the new government.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-argentina-crime-idUSKCN0UN0PF20160110

[forest444]

1. The ones Gov. Vidal (Macri's top ally) apparently freed in return for slandering an opponent

Lanatta's false testimony (on tv, not under oath), which contradicted all his previous testimony (under oath), took place shortly before the election and made the far-right Buenos Aires Province Governor María Vidal's narrow victory possible - and possibly Macri's as well (since his victory was even narrower).

http://www.democraticunderground.com/110846561

He was caught in another province, presumably on his way to Brazil. This could get interesting.

[Judi Lynn]

2. It should be easy enough for any three people to walk away from a prison when they all wear uniforms

and drive away in a security officer's car.

How conveniently the opportunity seemed to fall into their hands, too, just when the time was right, as soon as the President and the Mayor were safely in place after the election.

And, it's an easy mistake to tell the world you'd "caught three prisoners" when only one was in custody. Anyone could do that.

Stuff just happens. People should get off poor President Macri's back. He has so much destruction of the progress made by the Kirchners to accomplish before he reaches his goals.

One should surely hope this "embarrassment" will have the effect of opening any eyes which had been clinched shut regarding that "testimony" which did President Macri and Governor Vidal so much good prior to the election.

[forest444]

3. We can both imagine what Macri and Vidal must be thinking right now:

"God help us if proof should ever come out that we freed these lowlifes as a reward for sabotaging our opponents."

And it's certainly starting to look like He isn't: https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://www.politicargentina.com/notas/201601/10975-denuncian-que-lanatta-se-reunio-con-bullrich-y-ritondo-sin-presencia-de-abogado-ni-juez.html&prev=search



[center]"And you clowns want God to help you?"[/center]