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Finding Oscar

The Aftermath of a Brutal Massacre

In 1982 amid Guatemala’s civil war, 20 army commandos invaded Dos Erres disguised as rebels. The squad members, or Kaibiles, killed more than 250 people. Only a handful survived. One, a 3-year-old boy, was abducted by a Kaibil officer and raised by his family. It took 30 years for Oscar Alfredo Ramírez Castañeda to learn the truth.

19 stories published since 2012

Federal Agents Arrest a Former Guatemalan Soldier Charged With Massacring Civilians

A Commander of the Dos Erres Massacre Squad Gets 10 Years in Prison

‘Nos Ordenaron que Matáramos a Toda la Gente’

‘They Ordered Us To Kill All The People’

In U.S. Trial of Massacre Suspect, a Rare Chance for Guatemalan Justice

Although a Fugitive, Accused Guatemalan War Criminal Hasn't Run Far

The Dos Erres Fugitives

Como un Presunto Criminal de Guerra Logró Hacerse Ciudadano en Estados Unidos y Canadá

How an Accused Guatemalan War Criminal Won U.S., Canadian Citizenship

Guatemalan Massacre Survivor Wins Political Asylum in U.S.

Immigration Charges For Accused Commando In Dos Erres Massacre

Video: Oscar Reunites With His Father

Separated By Massacre, a Father And Son Reunite Three Decades Later

Slideshow: A Day of Anticipation, Anxiety, Family

The Faces of Dos Erres

Timeline: The Dos Erres Massacre and the Hunt for Oscar

Slideshow: Oscar's Story

How We Reported Oscar’s Story

Finding Oscar: Massacre, Memory and Justice in Guatemala

What We’re Watching

During Donald Trump’s second presidency, ProPublica will focus on the areas most in need of scrutiny. Here are some of the issues our reporters will be watching — and how to get in touch with them securely.

Learn more about our reporting team. We will continue to share our areas of interest as the news develops.

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Sharon Lerner

I cover health and the environment and the agencies that govern them, including the Environmental Protection Agency.

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Andy Kroll

I cover justice and the rule of law, including the Justice Department, U.S. attorneys and the courts.

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Melissa Sanchez

I report on immigration and labor, and I am based in Chicago.

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Jesse Coburn

I cover housing and transportation, including the companies working in those fields and the regulators overseeing them.

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