This story begins in this basement underneath Bolivia's Ministry of Interior. During a recent renovation, workers unearthed a hidden entrance to a number of secret torture rooms and prison cells. Interior Deputy-Minister Marcos Farfan was 16 years old when he was dragged into this underground jail.

This was in the 70s. General Hugo Banzer was the ruling dictator. "Here’s another cell right here," says Farfan, touring the cells. "The minister and his bureaucratic machine were working right upstairs and here is where they kept political prisoners. We were forced to undress. Then we were soaked, the entire room was wet and they’d put electric cables on the floor. That’s the torture they used here. We believe 155 were tortured here and went missing: men, women and teenagers we’ve never seen again".

Contrary to many other South American former dictatorships, Bolivia has only very recently started to look back at the dark moments of its history. Delia Cortez – who runs the Missing Persons Bureau - believes historians are somewhat responsible for this blackout of information.

"History books tell us about the 1952 revolution and then nothing until the 90s! What happened during all these years, did history just stop? Didn't Bolivians live anything during these years? This is what's called a partial vision of history. This is why we call this unofficial history…"

The bodies being exhumed from the ministry's basement are pieces of evidence which could help the victims’ families press charges against those responsible. It would be unfair if the legal proceedings were to be shut down when the criminals are deceased. And what about the victims? I think it is our society’s responsibility to judge these crimes. We’re working on it! Those responsible -still alive and free- will have to answer for their crimes in a tribunal."

Evo Morales' government promised to shed light on this macabre discovery. On their side, Bolivians will have to open their eyes to this recent period of their history. A difficult yet necessary challenge for this young democracy.