Argentine Navy Officers Stand Trial for Fatal Submarine Disaster

Four former Argentine naval commanders are facing criminal charges in connection with the 2017 ARA San Juan submarine tragedy that claimed 44 lives. The officers are accused of negligence after investigators found the vessel had multiple technical problems before its final mission.

Criminal proceedings commenced Tuesday in Argentina against four retired naval commanders charged in connection with the deadly ARA San Juan submarine incident from 2017 that resulted in 44 fatalities.

The proceedings are taking place in a Santa Cruz province courtroom, where the former military leaders are confronting accusations of neglecting duties, violating official responsibilities, and causing destruction through negligence — charges that could result in imprisonment. Each defendant has entered not guilty pleas.

Despite the military personnel facing prosecution, no senior government officials from the time period — including the nation’s leader or cabinet ministers — have been brought to court over the November 2017 tragedy.

The German-manufactured vessel vanished beneath South Atlantic waters on November 15th, carrying its full complement of 44 sailors. The submarine was returning to its Mar del Plata home port — located 248 miles from Buenos Aires — after completing training operations near Ushuaia in Argentina’s southernmost region. The crew had earlier radioed about water infiltration affecting the battery system via the snorkel, but subsequently reported the problem fixed. An explosive event was later registered in the vicinity where communications ceased.

Legal investigators determined the vessel experienced multiple operational problems before setting sail from Mar del Plata on October 25, 2017.

Court prosecutors stated Tuesday that following the submarine’s 2015 maintenance overhaul, it suffered from “numerous technical defects” that had been “documented by the various captains who served over the years.”

Based on the court’s findings, seawater infiltrated ventilation systems and flooded a battery compartment, creating an electrical malfunction and small blaze. This sequence caused the submarine to lose navigational control and plummet uncontrollably, resulting in structural collapse when the hull failed under extreme pressure at depths beyond 600 meters.

Family members of the lost sailors, working with lawyer Luis Tagliapietra, contend the current legal proceedings are insufficient for complete accountability.

The families recently criticized Judge Marta Isabel Yañez for not ordering crucial technical examinations or pursuing political figures, particularly targeting the government of former President Mauricio Macri.

Argentina’s highest court ruled separately in October to reject allegations of unlawful surveillance targeting the 44 victims’ families. This decision concluded all legal action against Macri, who held the presidency during the submarine’s destruction.