Los Identificados- No 11

Magazine Overview

'Los Identificados' is a publication focused on UFO phenomena, with this issue, Volume XI, specifically detailing "-casuística ovni con ocupantes en Argentina-" (UFO cases with occupants in Argentina). The cover features an artistic representation of an abduction scene and is attributed to Dr. Roberto Banchs.

The Villa Bordeu Affair: The Llanca Affair

The issue presents a detailed account of the Dionisio Llanca case, an alleged UFO encounter and abduction that occurred on October 27, 1973, near Bahía Blanca, Argentina. The report consolidates information from two articles previously published by the author in the Spanish magazine 'Stendek'.

The Relato (The Account)

Dionisio Llanca, a truck driver, recounted an incident while changing a tire on National Route 3, approximately 19 kilometers from Bahía Blanca. He described being illuminated by an intense, yellowish light that turned bluish, and then seeing a large, saucer-shaped object hovering about seven meters above the ground. He claimed three beings, two men and one woman, were present and observed him. Llanca reported feeling a sense of lethargy and an inability to move or speak. He stated that after about five minutes, he lost consciousness and later found himself near train wagons at the Sociedad Rural grounds, about nine kilometers from the city.

Investigation and Psychological Analysis

The article delves into the subsequent investigation and psychological evaluations of Llanca. Several points are raised regarding the credibility of his testimony:

1. Location Familiarity: The area where the encounter allegedly occurred is reportedly frequented by truck drivers, yet Llanca claimed to have seen no one else.
2. Mental State: Upon waking, Llanca had no memory of his name, the incident, his truck, or his home, and believed he had been confused for about nine kilometers.
3. Medical and Psychological Opinions: Dr. Ricardo Smirnoff expressed reservations due to the extensive publicity and suggested further hypnosis sessions, criticizing the leading nature of previous questions. Dr. Garcia del Cerro also voiced doubts. Psychologist Kura Milano agreed that interrogations were poorly handled and that a hypnosis reconstruction seemed rehearsed.
4. Prior Deception: An anecdote is recounted where Llanca allegedly feigned illness to obtain free meals from university students, suggesting a pattern of deception.
5. Police Findings: Police found Llanca's truck abandoned on the roadside with a flat tire, along with footprints belonging to Llanca, but no evidence of other individuals.
6. Power Outage: A significant increase in electricity consumption was reported, attributed to a short circuit at a substation, not necessarily related to the alleged UFO event.
7. Later Claims: In March 1976, Llanca claimed another contact and was reportedly interned in a psychiatric hospital.
8. Psychological Study Conclusions: A psychological study from July 31, 1974, by Dr. Héctor A. Solari, described Llanca as having a 'well-defined mental weakness' and 'signs of evident lack of sincerity.' Solari characterized Llanca's personality as 'epileptic type' with 'histrionic traits,' suggesting his defense mechanisms involved denial and repression, leading to insecurity and hostility. He concluded that Llanca was not a reliable witness.

Expert Opinions and Hypotheses

Dr. Solari recommended therapeutic intervention, suggesting Llanca was not capable of fabricating such a complex story due to his low intellectual capacity. However, the article also presents counterarguments and alternative hypotheses:

• Hypnosis and Suggestibility: The article questions the validity of hypnosis and pentotal sessions, noting that Llanca repeated the same story under hypnosis and that the interrogators were potentially biased towards UFO phenomena.
• Fabrication: The possibility of Llanca fabricating the story, either consciously or unconsciously, is explored. This could be influenced by external suggestions or his own fantasies, possibly triggered by a visual disturbance (like a bright light) or a head injury.
• Cerebral Lesion: A previously unreported cerebral lesion in the right temporal lobe was noted. While some suggested it was caused by extraterrestrials, the article points out that the described hematoma was on the frontal lobe, not the temporal lobe. Another version suggests a lesion in the occipital lobe, which can cause visual disturbances like hallucinations or psychic blindness, potentially leading to misidentification.
• Intellectual Coefficient (CI): Llanca's very low CI is presented as a factor that makes him prone to fabulation but also as a reason why he might not be capable of inventing such a detailed narrative. The article suggests that his limited perception might lead him to interpret events in a fantastical way.
• Alternative Explanations: Hypotheses include 'cosmic education' (which doesn't fit Llanca's subsequent behavior), a 'control system' manipulating him, or a 'psychodrama' where the events are a result of psychological processes rather than external alien intervention.

References and Annex

The issue includes a list of references to previous articles and publications related to the Llanca case and other UFO incidents. An annex provides further reflections from investigator Hilary Evans, who notes that the case exhibits many characteristics of typical abduction scenarios, such as occurring in isolation and involving a luminous craft. Evans suggests that while Llanca's story might be improbable, it cannot be entirely dismissed, but also considers the possibility of a 'psychodrama' or a fabricated event, pointing out inconsistencies like the beings communicating telepathically but using a strange, mechanical language, and the description of the alien beings resembling Hollywood characters.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the detailed examination of a specific UFO abduction case, presenting witness testimony alongside critical analysis from psychological, investigative, and scientific perspectives. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious skepticism, acknowledging the unusual nature of the event while highlighting significant doubts regarding the witness's credibility and the potential for misinterpretation, suggestion, or fabrication. The publication seems dedicated to exploring such phenomena with a critical yet open mind, presenting various viewpoints and evidence for the reader to consider.

This issue of Cuarta Dimensión, dated February 1975, features a prominent article titled "UN CASO IMPRESIONANTE" (An Impressive Case), focusing on a UFO sighting in Argentina. The issue includes contributions from investigators and witnesses, as well as discussions on related folklore and superstitions.

The Llanca Case and Investigator Speculation

The issue begins with a section discussing the case of Llanca, who experienced a disorienting event. Roberto Bachs, a prominent Argentinian investigator, speculates that an external stimulus, such as light, might have activated a latent fantasy or imaginative process in Llanca's brain, possibly due to a previous injury. This process could lead to hallucinatory experiences, amplified by the abundance of extraterrestrial themes in Argentinian and Latin American culture, and the media's role in disseminating such stories.

The Impressive Case: Bahía Blanca

The main feature, "UN CASO IMPRESIONANTE," details an event in Bahía Blanca. It mentions a young man who was hospitalized with paralysis and other symptoms. Investigators suggested a cerebral lesion might have caused hallucinations. The article notes that the young man claimed to have seen three individuals dressed in white, with non-conventional suits, and that they appeared to be extraterrestrials. The accompanying illustration is described as a "statistical representation of the alleged occupants, according to the version of the Llanca boy."

Günther (Gral. Pinto): Beings from Space... Terrestrial

This extensive report details the experience of Carlos Argüello Balvidares, a 43-year-old man from General Pinto, Buenos Aires Province. On October 29, 1973, while working on a farm in Günther, Balvidares and his 12-year-old son, Manuel, encountered three individuals near a lagoon. Initially mistaken for children, the figures were later identified as unusual. They appeared to be hovering over the water. Carlos approached them, and they subsequently disappeared, only to reappear further away.

Description of the Beings

Carlos described a female figure approximately 1.60-1.65 meters tall, dressed entirely in black with long, dark hair. She wore boots with a white stripe and fins. The two male figures were shorter, with what appeared to be fixed hair and exposed skin that seemed tanned. They were described as appearing nude or wearing form-fitting clothing. The woman's attire was more noticeable. The men had blond hair, broad foreheads, and small noses. All three moved with their arms and legs held rigidly.

The Luminous Object and Encounter

Near the individuals, Balvidares observed a luminous, rectangular object, about 5-6 meters long and 2-3 meters high, emitting a bright beam that caused temporary blindness and a sensation of heat. Carlos attempted to approach the object on horseback, but was stopped by an invisible barrier. His horse refused to move forward.

Further Observations and Footprints

Later, the strange figures moved towards the object. Carlos observed their clothing change color (green and orange for the men, while the woman's black remained unchanged). A pig escaped its enclosure, and Carlos experienced a feeling of drowsiness and smelled sulfur. When he recovered, the figures and the object were gone. Investigations at the site revealed distinct triangular footprints, about 10-15 cm long, with pronounced heels. Four triangular footprints, arranged in a square pattern, were also found near where the object had been, suggesting a large triangular object.

Investigation and Comparison

The case, initially reported in February 1975, gained attention due to its similarities with the Villa Bordeu case. Investigator Omar R. Demattei considered the Balvidares case highly reliable. Demattei concluded that the Llanca (Villa Bordeu) and Balvidares (Günther) cases were both authentic and shared commonalities, making it impossible to dismiss them if one was considered genuine.

Manuel Balvidares's Testimony

Manuel Balvidares, Carlos's son, provided a testimony that largely corroborated his father's account but offered new perspectives. He described seeing "people" near a water pump, noting they didn't splash water when moving and seemed to be "floating." He also described their clothing changing color and the woman standing on one of the men's shoulders, a detail that caused surprise and disbelief.

The "Bag of Nylon" Object

Manuel described the object as a large, round, shiny "bag of nylon" near the fence, estimating it to be about 20 meters away. He insisted it was not a spaceship but a bag-like object that shone like glass.

Political Slogans and Other Encounters

During the encounter, the beings reportedly uttered sounds that Carlos interpreted as "ui-ui-ui-ui-ui." Manuel, however, heard what sounded like people talking and shouting, including what he perceived as "¡Viva Perón!" (Long live Perón!). The report also mentions the appearance of two more individuals, bringing the total to five, who then moved off together towards a mill. The beings' movements were described as peculiar, including jumping and making gestures.

Possible Explanations and Superstitions

The article discusses the possibility of the object being a weather balloon, citing similar launches by CNES. It also delves into Argentinian folklore and superstitions, particularly concerning horses. A belief that a horse ridden by a woman or exposed to certain conditions might lose its strength is mentioned as a potential factor influencing Carlos's perception.

Conclusions

The investigation, led by Omar R. Demattei, initially supported the extraterrestrial hypothesis. However, Manuel Balvidares's testimony, deemed more grounded and less contaminated by ufological theories, led Demattei to reconsider the case. Manuel's account, which did not include the more fantastical elements attributed by his father, suggested that the observed phenomena might have been less extraordinary than initially portrayed. The article concludes by suggesting that the witnesses, possibly influenced by the earlier report of the Dionisio Llanca case and the general atmosphere of unusual events, may have misinterpreted what they saw.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores UFO sightings and extraterrestrial encounters, presenting witness testimonies and investigative analyses. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, acknowledging the possibility of genuine anomalous phenomena while also considering psychological factors, folklore, and potential misinterpretations. The article demonstrates a commitment to detailed reporting and comparative analysis of different cases within the ufological field.