Augusto Pinochet

Categories: Social Science | South America

  • Guide Note:

    Military dictator Augusto Pinochet ruled Chile after a coup d'etat in 1973 overthrew the democratically-elected Salvador Allende government. Pinochet's 17 year dictatorship was marked by murder, torture and widespread human rights abuses. He amassed a huge fortune, which was stashed in foreign banks, and avoided standing trial in 2001 due to poor health.

  • Fast Facts:

    1. Born: November 25, 1915 in Valparaiso, Chile
    2. Spouse: Maria Lucia Hiriart Rodriguez
    3. Religion: Roman Catholic
    4. Successor: Patricio Aylwin
    5. Pinochet's security forces killed 2,600+ people and tortured 28,000+ during his dictatorship
    6. The U.S. supported Allende's overthrow, and assisted Pinochet's regime
    7. Joined other South American dictators in Operation Condor, a secret program to eliminate political opponents
    8. Supported Britain over neighbor Argentina during the 1982 Falklands Conflict, becoming a friend of Margaret Thatcher
    9. Died: December 10, 2006 in Santiago, Chile

  • Rise to Power

    On September 11, 1973, the Chilean military, lead by General Augusto Pinichet, overthrew President Salvador Allende in a coup d'état. The reason given by the opposition was that Allende had breached Chile's constitution. The following government was lead by four people: Pinochet, Gustavo Leigh Guzmán, José Toribio Merino Castro and César Mendoza Durán. The four decided on naming Pinochet the head of the Junta. The military dictatorship lasted to 1990.

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