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Military leader · Politician
Chilean military officer and politician. A coup d'état in 1973 overthrew the Allende government and imposed a long-term military dictatorship. He is a person who considers political violence in Latin America during the Cold War.
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Work
1973 Chilean coup d’état
1973
Political event · Leader
Pinochet military dictatorship
1973–1990
Political event · Leader
Map: Natural Earth (PD)
He rose through the ranks as a military officer in Chile and lived during the Cold War, when anti-communist sentiment among the military grew stronger. The Allende government's socialist policies and domestic conflicts were also linked to the United States' policy towards Latin America.
He seized power in a military coup in 1973 and suspended parliamentary democracy. While promoting market-oriented economic reforms, it also led to repression of political opponents, human rights violations, and a large number of defections.
Although the Pinochet regime is sometimes criticized for its economic policies, political repression and violence cannot be discussed separately. In later years, his international human rights responsibilities were also questioned.
Studying Pinochet reveals that the Cold War unfolded in Latin America, involving electoral politics, the military, business, American diplomacy, and human rights issues. He is also a person who is connected to the issue of memory and responsibility after democratization. It also provides material for thinking about transitional justice after dictatorship.
