Augusto Pinochet

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Lore & Background

Born in Valparaíso, Pinochet rose through the ranks of the Chilean Army to become General Chief of Staff in early 1972 before being appointed its commander-in-chief on 23 August 1973 by President Salvador Allende. On 11 September 1973, Pinochet seized power in Chile in a military coup. The military had previously received financial and intelligence support from the United States, which favoured the military coup that toppled Allende's democratically elected socialist Unidad Popular government and ended civilian rule. In December 1974, the ruling military junta appointed Pinochet Supreme Head of the nation by joint decree, although without the support of one of the coup's instigators, Air Force general Gustavo Leigh. After his rise to power, Pinochet persecuted leftists, socialists, and political critics, resulting in the executions of 1,200 to 3,200 people, the internment of as many as 80,000 people, and the torture of tens of thousands. According to the Chilean government, the number of executions and forced disappearances was at least 3,095. Operation Condor, a U.S.-supported terror operation focusing on South America, was founded at the behest of the Pinochet regime in late November 1975. Under the influence of the free market–oriented 'Chicago Boys', Pinochet's military government implemented economic liberalization following neoliberalism. These policies dramatically increased economic inequality and produced high economic growth. They caused the 1982 monetary crisis, and thus produced its devastating effects on the Chilean economy. Pinochet's wealth grew considerably during his years in power through dozens of bank accounts secretly held abroad and real estate holdings. He was later prosecuted for embezzlement, tax fraud, and kickbacks on arms deals. Pinochet's 17-year rule was given a legal framework through a controversial 1980 plebiscite, which approved a new constitution drafted by a government-appointed commission. In a 1988 plebiscite, 56% voted against Pinochet's continuing as president, which led to democratic elections for the presidency and Congress. After stepping down in 1990, Pinochet continued to serve as Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Army until 10 March 1998, when he retired and became a senator-for-life in accordance with his 1980 Constitution. However, while in London in 1998, Pinochet was arrested under an international arrest war

Reader's Guide

Augusto José Ramón Pinochet Ugarte was born in Valparaíso on 25 November 1915 to a regular middle-class family. He was the son and namesake of Augusto Pinochet Vera (1891–1944), a descendant of an 18th-century French Breton immigrant from Lamballe and Avelina Ugarte Martínez (1895–1986), a woman of Basque heritage. Pinochet went to primary and secondary school at the San Rafael Seminary of Valparaíso, the Rafael Ariztía Institute (Marist Brothers) in Quillota, the French Fathers' School of Valparaíso, and then to the Military School in Santiago, which he entered in 1931. In 1935, after four years studying military geography, he graduated with the rank of alférez (Second Lieutenant) in the infantry. In September 1937, Pinochet was assigned to the 'Chacabuco' Regiment, in Concepción. Two years later, in 1939, then with the rank of Sub-lieutenant, he moved to the 'Maipo' Regiment, garrisoned in Valparaíso. He returned to Infantry School in 1940. By late 1945, Pinochet had been assigned to the 'Carampangue' Regiment in the northern city of Iquique. Three years later, he entered the Chilean War Academy but had to postpone his studies because, being the youngest officer, he had to carry out a service mission in the coal zone of Lota. The following year, Pinochet returned to his studies in the academy. After obtaining the title of Officer Chief of Staff, in 1951, he returned to teach at the Military School. At the same time, he worked as a teachers' aide at the War Academy, assisting with military geography and geopolitics classes. He was also the editor of the institutional magazine Cien Águilas ('One Hundred Eagles'). At the beginning of 1953, with the rank of major, he was sent for two years to the 'Rancagua' Regiment in Arica. While there, he was appointed professor of the Chilean War Academy, and returned to Santiago to take up his new position. In 1956, Pinochet and a group of young officers were chosen to collaborate in the organization of the War Academy of Ecuador in Quito. He remained with the Quito mission for four and a half years, during which time he studied geopolitics, military geography and military intelligence. At the end of 1959, he returned to Chile and was sent to General Headquarters of the 1st Army Division, based in Antofagasta. The following year, he was appointed commander of the 'Esmeralda' Regiment. Due to his success in this position,

Did You Know?

• Pinochet was born in Valparaíso on 25 November 1915 to a regular middle-class family.
• He was appointed commander-in-chief of the Chilean Army on 23 August 1973 by President Salvador Allende, less than a month before the coup.
• Operation Condor, a U.S.-supported terror operation, was founded at the behest of the Pinochet regime in late November 1975.
• Pinochet was arrested in London in 1998 under an international arrest warrant for human rights violations, but was released on grounds of ill-health.
• By the time of his death, about 300 criminal charges were still pending against him in Chile.