Video: Oscar Reunites With His Father
Last week, we published stories about a father and son who’d been separated for nearly 30 years after a massacre at their Guatemalan village. Tranquilino Castañeda, now 70, believed his youngest son Alfredo—now called Oscar—was dead. On Monday, they reunited—and Castañeda met his grandchildren for the first time.
Last week, ProPublica, This American Life and Fundación MEPI produced in-depth stories about a father and son who’d been separated for nearly 30 years after a massacre at their Guatemalan jungle village. Tranquilino Castañeda, now 70, believed his youngest son Alfredo -- now called Oscar -- was dead. On Monday, they reunited -- and Castañeda met his grandchildren for the first time.
Note: Annie Correal helped with translations.
It took Oscar Alfredo Ramírez Castañeda almost 30 years to learn that he survived a brutal massacre in his home village.
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13 comments
James F Traynor
June 1, 2012, 3:44 p.m.
Sad and wonderful.
Dena
June 1, 2012, 3:54 p.m.
In the This American Life story, Oscar mentioned that, though he had no reservations, it was going to be difficult to have his father living with him. He said that he worked 60 hours a week (or was it more?) and that there wasn’t much room in their house. Has there been any sort of fund set up to help support this family?
dana
June 1, 2012, 3:56 p.m.
the worry was dad admitted drinking to much, and having a hard time stopping.
Shahislam
June 2, 2012, 2:01 a.m.
Humanity also become honored when truly loved ones are united.
Anne Marie Martinez
June 2, 2012, 3:50 p.m.
Beautiful story and reunion. Let’s us all hope that Dad’s drinking does not get in the way of a beautiful family life. Living together may not work.
Rene bourgeois
June 2, 2012, 4:10 p.m.
Family is the only as connected as we make . Some times there reasons that make coming together very difficult. Separation can hinder the bonding process. I am cut off from my family because I was raised by my aunt and uncle until I was six. Sixty years later I am still not close to my brothers.
May God be with you and help you all as you learn to be a family together!
Matthew
June 4, 2012, 4:10 p.m.
I am also interested to know if any fund has been put together for Oscar and his family as they reunite and take care of Oscar’s father.
Thanks for the beautiful story and to all those who worked so hard and risked so much to find justice.
Leslie
June 6, 2012, 1:47 p.m.
What an amazing story. I hope for the best for them. It will be challenging, but i hope that it works.
John
June 7, 2012, 11:23 a.m.
Thank you for your excellent work on reporting this story!
Lawrence
June 7, 2012, 10:27 p.m.
It’s possible that believing all 9 of your kids were massacred could leave you hopeless, desolate and prone to escaping into the bottle. I hope they find a living arrangement that can accommodate the old man and keep him close to the family.
Lawrence Aaron
June 7, 2012, 10:33 p.m.
Believing all 9 of his kids massacred could leave him hopeless, desolate and prone to escaping into the bottle. I hope they find a living arrangement that can accommodate the old man and keep him close to the family.
Rebecca Center
June 14, 2012, 12:01 p.m.
I am the director of the nonprofit 501c3 charity Under the Same Moon. It is dedicated to fostering cultural connections between the U.S. and Guatemala and improving educational opportunities in Guatemala. I also am a teacher in Framingham at the school that Oscar’s children attend. Under the Same Moon has a separate account now set up for the Ramirez family. We have done one Guatemalan jewelry sale (this is how we fund the school in Guatemala we support) with all proceeds going to the Ramirez family. We also are accepting donations for the Ramirez fund. Please email me for more information..
julia
June 19, 2012, 7:53 p.m.
What a story, God bless them all forever…
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