Col. Ariel Sánchez

Col. Ariel Sánchez (Ret.), Uruguayan Air Force officer with 33 years of service, entered the force in 1976 and graduated as second lieutenant in 1986. Specialized in air traffic control with radar and aviation security. Joined CRIDOVNI, the Uruguayan Air Force's Commission for the Reception and Investigation of Reports of Unidentified Flying Objects, in 1989 as a captain, serving as investigator, secretary, president, and since retiring in 2012 as technical director. Under his leadership, CRIDOVNI has investigated about 1300 cases over 33 years, with 30% unresolved, including fighter jet chases and soil analyses showing anomalies. Sánchez has disclosed all findings publicly, rejecting cover-ups, and collaborated internationally with CEFAA (Chile) and Brazilian military on cases like Easter Island parachute misidentification and 1986 radar UFOs. Notable investigations include 1993 Durazno farm landing and 1986 airplane UFO chase. He has lectured at global forums, affirming scientific openness to extraterrestrial hypotheses.