The Corporal Breaks His Silence...
Armando Valdés: "Want to know the truth? I was never abducted!"
Thursday, April 25 2002

Carlos Vergara

"Truth is harder to explain than a lie," reflects Corporal Valdes.

25 years after the alleged alien abduction in Putre, the UFO poster boy denies it all.

It all happened 25 years ago at 4:15 a.m. on the morning of April 25, 1977. The protagonists were Corporal Second Class Armando Valdes Garrido and seven recruits performing their military service at Pampa Lluscuma, near Putre, in Chile's First Region.

Some speak of a light. Others of a spacecraft the size of the National Stadium. The truth of the matter is that Valdes vanished before the startled eyes of his seven recruits only to reappear fifteen minutes later with a five-day growth of facial hair and the calendar of his wristwatch indicating the date was the 30th of April.

Recently retired, the legendary Corporal Valdes strolled through Temuco with his trademark dark sunglasses, when a call placed to his cell phone invited him to remember the truth of what occurred in Putre. .

"Well, all of this is the completion of a book to be launched at the end of the year. I can tell you that many myths will come crashing while others will be created. I'ts the truth. In fact, the book is entitled The Shadow of the Truth," he says without any revulsion. .

-Were you abducted?

- In the context, I would say no.... In other words, had I been abducted, I would have been sucked up and taken by a spacecraft somewhere else. But I will make the truth known in my book."

-Excuse me, Corporal Valdes. Cut the book talk and tell me something more solid.

-No, no, no. That's not what its about. I'm not trying to promote myslef. All right, what do you want to know. Ask me and I'll tell you."

- Where the hell were you those fifteen minutes?

- I can tell you that I was always present and looking at my men. I even heard everything they said.

- So what'll it be then? Were you abducted or not?

- I can't tell you yes or no. I have a truth, but it's a long story, son. The whole phenomenon must have transpired here on Earth. The truth is harder to explain than a lie. If I said that I went to another galaxy, it would be easier. This is harder to believe.

- I don't believe you...

- You see? I only want to be at peace with myself. You want the truth? I was never abducted! But another phenomenon occurred.

- What phenomenon?

- Something very close to home, having to do with Earth. And it happened to me with a purpose I have just come to realize. I speak of future things in my book. They call it eschatology...