Chile’s government hasn’t always been democratic. Before Machelet, Chile’s current president, there was Pinochet. Augusto Jose Ramon Pinochet Ugarte was born on November 25, 1915 in Valparaíso, Chile. He joined the military forces at the young age of 20 and was appointed Commander in Chief in 1973 by Salvador Allende, current Chilean president at the time. Allende’s trust in Pinochet backfired immediately as Pinochet piloted a strike to overthrow Allende from his throne. Backed by the US’s CIA, Pinochet successfully overthrew the Allende and seized control of the Chilean government. This was the start of the Pinochet dictatorship which lasted 25 years and was responsible for thousands of deaths. Pinochet’s rule was characterized by oppression and a series of violations towards human rights. After his last year as Commander in Chief in 1998, Pinochet travelled to London and was arrested by Spanish authorities which accused him of crimes of genocide and terrorism against Spanish nationals during his dictatorship. He was found mentally unfit for trial and was sent back to Santiago. In December 2006, Pinochet died still awaiting trial for his numerous crimes.
Some of Pinochet’s violations include his enactment of the Constitution in 1980 to give himself an 8-year presidential term. This enactment also allowed him to remain Commander in Chief in 1990 when he lost the presidential elections to Patricio Aylwin. During Pinochet’s reign, all political parties were banned, leftist dissidents were prosecuted and killed, trade barriers were taken down, and economy was reformed into a free market which relied highly on exportation. This brought economic progress to Chile at the expense of a high unemployment rate and low wages.
Though many people have a negative image of Pinochet in Chile, some people still view him as a true patriot and rescuer of Chile bringing Allende’s socialism to a halt and paving a path towards economic growth and prosperity.
Some of Pinochet’s violations include his enactment of the Constitution in 1980 to give himself an 8-year presidential term. This enactment also allowed him to remain Commander in Chief in 1990 when he lost the presidential elections to Patricio Aylwin. During Pinochet’s reign, all political parties were banned, leftist dissidents were prosecuted and killed, trade barriers were taken down, and economy was reformed into a free market which relied highly on exportation. This brought economic progress to Chile at the expense of a high unemployment rate and low wages.
Though many people have a negative image of Pinochet in Chile, some people still view him as a true patriot and rescuer of Chile bringing Allende’s socialism to a halt and paving a path towards economic growth and prosperity.