Former football player, he went to the Malvinas Islands where he was imprisoned for two days: the story of Luis Escobedo

A little over 24 hours in the Falkland Islands He was carrying a group of eight ex-combatants from Lomas de Zamora during their visit to Argentine cemeteryat 6,700 kilometers from Darwin Port, pay tribute to their fallen comrades in the war.

For many, it was his first visit to the island. The special sensation of being there again, the bright eyes and the knots in the throat were a common denominator. "We made a minute of silence, we sang the Argentinian anthem and we launched sentences, all with our flags deployed"he explained Luis Escobedo, of 57 years old, one of the members of this group present in the islands, in dialogue with Infobae.

Until then, Escobedo's route was normal, as was the case in 2012 and 2016 – the previous times, Luis had been able to return to the Falklands. Before leaving the cemetery, the ex-combatants met an Austrian journalist, who took pictures without any inconvenience.

The problem occurred two days later. "On Thursday morning, around 7:30 pm, the authorities took out half-naked rooms. Everything was pretty tense. We did not understand anything. They released mobile phones, pbadports, flags and other items. Then they took us to the police station"said Escobedo, born in Santiago del Estero, but resides at Ingeniero Budge from the age of four.

Once arrested, Luis and his companions had to declare individually more than two hours in front of the authorities. There, they learned that they had been denounced by a kelper for insults and misdemeanors. In addition, they were shown photos of them in the cemetery as "proofs", the same as those taken by the journalist. In the precincts, not only did they testify in front of each of them, but they also took pictures of their faces and profiles, took fingerprints and even read their rights.

"They asked us if we wanted a lawyer and we told them no, I had been there twice and had never had a problem. What happens is that my flag is unique, it bears the mention 'Territorio Argentino & # 39; and he has an image of the islands that might bother them, but the one who denounced us was not near, in any cemetery in the world where there are veterans tribute in his own way. Then, in other places, we did not take out the flags or do anything. It's stupid the complaint that was made to us, "said Luis who, at age 19, while doing his military service, was sent to war.

The Argentines left the police station at 8 pm and it was not until Friday afternoon that the police made all the kidnapped and announced their acquittal. "When they all heard us, the guys realized there was no problem and even made themselves available to talk to the islanders and explain to them that what we were doing was paying tribute to dead. They told us that we would have no problem in the future", Luis told the result of the fact that he had to live with his companions.

Of course, the story of Escobedo he is not only experienced as a veteran, but also as a professional footballer. "Before the war, I created the inferiors in the Andes. Then, when I came back from the Malvinas, I left the ball for a while, but I went back and played until I was 40 years old.", commented on his career.

During his years as a professional player, Luis wore the jerseys of the Mil Rayitas, Temperley, Tiger, South Dock, Vélez, Belgrano, Colón and even had the luxury of playing in Santiago Wanderers From Chile. Currently playing for the team Senior of the Gasolero and theArgentine election over 50 years old.

For Luis, it is impossible not to get upset every time he arrives in the Malvinas Islands and, while baduring that it was his last visit, he is quickly lost. and wish at all costs the chance to come back. "Thank goodness, today almost all tombs have a name and a surname. It's very rewarding. The corpses must remain on the spot, because it is the Argentine soil and they will always claim. We will pay tribute to those who have fallen there"He concluded from the other side of the phone.