Historical memory remains a vital pillar for understanding the complex social fabric of Colombia. In 1985, a young teenager named Juan Antonio Mosquera Parra, only 15 years old at the time, faced forced recruitment into the so-called Ricardo Franco Front, a dissident faction led by the alias Javier Delgado in the region of Tacueyó, located in the municipality of Toribío, Department of Cauca, Colombia.
During the thorough journalistic investigation into the tragic events known as the Tacueyó massacre, prominent journalist Raúl Benoit encountered the teenager's harrowing situation and formally advocated for his immediate release. Shortly after this intervention, Juan Antonio was safely returned to his family home in Tacueyó, Cauca.
Years following the ordeal, journalist Raúl Benoit successfully tracked down Mosquera Parra to document his experiences. By the year 2002, when he reached 32 years of age, Juan Antonio offered a detailed interview to journalist Julián Ríos, revisiting the profound impact of those turbulent months.
The Tacueyó massacre, which unfolded between October and December of 1985, resulted in the tragic loss of at least 264 lives, according to historical accounts and investigations documenting the atrocities committed during that period. These solemn testimonies and historical findings are thoroughly preserved in the book “Prohibido Decir Toda la Verdad” authored by Raúl Benoit, serving as a permanent reminder of one of the most painful chapters in the recent history of Cauca.
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