General Augusto Pinochet officially became the President of Chile, consolidating his power after leading a military coup that overthrew Salvador Allende in September 1973. This marked the beginning of his 17-year dictatorship characterized by radical economic reforms and systematic political repression.
General Augusto Pinochet seized power in Chile through a military coup on September 11, 1973, marking one of Latin America's most significant political upheavals of the 20th century. The violent overthrow of democratically elected President Salvador Allende established Pinochet's authoritarian regime that would last for nearly two decades.
Following the coup d'état, Pinochet consolidated his position as Chile's leader through a series of calculated political moves. He first served as the head of the military junta before officially becoming the nation's president on December 17, 1974. The transition from military leader to president reflected Pinochet's determination to maintain absolute control over Chile's political landscape while implementing radical economic reforms that would reshape the country's future.
The Military Coup of September 11, 1973
#The Chilean military coup marked a turning point in Latin American history when armed forces seized control of the government. General Augusto Pinochet led military operations that transformed Chile's democratic system into an authoritarian regime.
Overthrow of Salvador Allende
#The military coup began at 7:00 AM when the Chilean Navy secured the port city of Valparaíso. Army troops surrounded the presidential palace, La Moneda, while the Chilean Air Force bombed the building at 11:52 AM. President Salvador Allende delivered his final radio address to the nation before his death during the siege of the presidential palace. The military took control of key government installations transportation hubs within 24 hours.
Military Junta Formation
#The armed forces established a four-man military junta immediately after seizing power. General Augusto Pinochet represented the Army Commander General Gustavo Leigh led the Air Force Admiral José Toribio Merino commanded the Navy General César Mendoza directed the National Police. The junta dissolved Congress banned political parties suspended the constitution on September 13, 1973. Military officials occupied government positions strategic sectors across Chile's 13 regions placing the country under strict martial law.
| Military Junta Members | Branch |
|---|---|
| Augusto Pinochet | Army |
| Gustavo Leigh | Air Force |
| José Toribio Merino | Navy |
| César Mendoza | National Police |
Pinochet's Rise to Power
#General Augusto Pinochet consolidated his authority in Chile through a series of calculated political maneuvers following the 1973 military coup. His transformation from junta member to absolute ruler marked a defining period in Chilean history.
Appointment as Supreme Chief of the Nation
#General Pinochet secured his position as Supreme Chief of the Nation on June 27, 1974, through Decree Law 527. This strategic move elevated him above the other junta members, granting him executive powers while maintaining his role as Commander-in-Chief of the Army. The decree established a clear hierarchy within the military government, positioning Pinochet at the apex of both civilian administration and military command.
Constitutional Changes in 1974
#- Dissolution of the Constitutional Tribunal
- Establishment of new emergency powers
- Creation of direct presidential authority over key state institutions
- Implementation of restrictions on political activities
| Key Constitutional Changes | Date Implemented |
|---|---|
| Decree Law 527 | June 27, 1974 |
| Decree Law 788 | December 4, 1974 |
| Presidential Powers Expansion | December 17, 1974 |
| Constitutional Acts | September 1976 |
Early Years of Pinochet's Presidency
#General Augusto Pinochet's presidency began officially on December 17, 1974, marking the start of a 17-year dictatorship characterized by radical economic restructuring and systematic political repression.
Economic Reforms and Chicago Boys
#The Pinochet regime implemented free-market reforms under the guidance of economists known as the Chicago Boys. These U.S.-trained economists from the University of Chicago transformed Chile's economy through:
- Privatization of state-owned companies: 500+ enterprises sold to private investors
- Trade liberalization: Reduced import tariffs from 90% to 10%
- Deregulation of financial markets: Removed price controls on 3,000+ products
- Public spending cuts: Reduced government expenditure by 27% between 1974-1975
| Economic Indicator | 1973 | 1976 |
|---|---|---|
| Inflation Rate | 508% | 174% |
| Foreign Investment | $12M | $253M |
| Public Deficit | 24.7% | 2.9% |
Political Repression
#- Creation of DINA (Dirección de Inteligencia Nacional): Secret police force established in 1974
- Operation Condor: Coordinated intelligence operations with neighboring military governments
- Detention centers: 1,200+ facilities operated throughout Chile
- Human rights violations: 3,200 deaths recorded between 1974-1977
- Forced disappearances: 1,100+ political opponents vanished without trace
| Repression Statistics | Number |
|---|---|
| Political Prisoners | 28,000 |
| Torture Victims | 35,000 |
| Exiled Citizens | 200,000 |
| Banned Political Parties | 15 |
International Response to Pinochet's Takeover
#The military coup in Chile sparked immediate international reactions, with countries taking distinct positions on the Pinochet regime. Global responses ranged from active support to severe condemnation of the new military government.
U.S. Involvement
#The U.S. government provided significant support to the Pinochet regime through economic aid diplomatic backing. The CIA allocated $8 million for covert operations to destabilize Allende's government before the coup. President Richard Nixon approved $1 million in assistance to support anti-Allende forces in 1970. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger maintained close diplomatic relations with Pinochet's government, including:
- Economic aid totaling $350 million between 1974-1976
- Military assistance through weapons sales valued at $112 million
- Intelligence sharing through CIA operations
- Diplomatic support in international forums
Global Reactions
#International responses to the Chilean dictatorship divided along Cold War lines. Several countries took specific actions:
| Country | Response Type | Key Actions |
|---|---|---|
| Soviet Union | Condemnation | Broke diplomatic relations |
| Cuba | Opposition | Provided asylum to 4,000 Chilean refugees |
| United Kingdom | Mixed | Continued trade while expressing human rights concerns |
| Sweden | Resistance | Accepted 7,000 political refugees |
| Brazil | Support | Provided military expertise intelligence sharing |
The United Nations General Assembly condemned Chile's human rights violations through 6 resolutions between 1974-1977. International organizations documented:
- 3,200 cases of disappearances forced deaths
- 28,000 instances of torture
- 200,000 people driven into political exile
Multiple European countries suspended diplomatic relations imposed economic sanctions against the military junta. Sweden's Prime Minister Olof Palme led international criticism, organizing refugee programs providing sanctuary to Chilean political exiles.
Impact of Pinochet's Presidency on Chile
#The Pinochet regime transformed Chile through radical economic reforms while implementing severe political repression. These changes reshaped Chilean society in profound ways that continue to influence the country today.
Economic Transformation
#The Chicago Boys, a group of U.S.-trained economists, implemented sweeping free-market reforms under Pinochet's direction. The regime privatized 500+ state enterprises between 1974-1980, generating $1.4 billion in revenue. Trade barriers dropped from an average tariff of 94% in 1973 to 10% by 1979, opening Chile's economy to international markets.
Key Economic Changes:
| Metric | Pre-Pinochet (1973) | During Pinochet (1980) |
|---|---|---|
| Inflation Rate | 508% | 31% |
| Foreign Investment | $12 million | $253 million |
| GDP Growth | -4.3% | 8.2% |
| Public Sector Employment | 360,000 | 130,000 |
Human Rights Violations
#The dictatorship established a systematic apparatus of repression through DINA, the secret police force. State security forces operated 1,200 detention centers across Chile, implementing organized persecution of political opponents.
Documented Human Rights Abuses (1973-1990):
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Executed or disappeared: 3,200 individuals
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Political prisoners: 28,000 people
-
Torture victims: 35,000 citizens
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Exiled population: 200,000 Chileans
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Banned organizations: 15 political parties
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Restricted civil liberties: press censorship media control university monitoring
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Cross-border surveillance
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International kidnappings
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Targeted assassinations
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Intelligence sharing networks
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Coordinated detention operations
Key Takeaways
#- General Augusto Pinochet seized power in Chile through a military coup on September 11, 1973, overthrowing democratically elected President Salvador Allende
- Pinochet officially became Chile's president on December 17, 1974, after first serving as head of the military junta and Supreme Chief of the Nation
- Under his 17-year dictatorship, Chile underwent dramatic economic reforms led by the "Chicago Boys," including privatization, trade liberalization, and financial deregulation
- The regime was marked by severe human rights violations, with over 3,200 deaths, 28,000 political prisoners, and 200,000 exiled citizens between 1973-1990
- International responses were divided along Cold War lines, with the U.S. providing significant support while many European nations and the UN condemned the regime's actions
Conclusion
#General Augusto Pinochet's rise to power through the 1973 military coup marked a turning point in Chilean history. His official ascension to the presidency on December 17 1974 initiated a complex era of dramatic economic reforms alongside severe political repression.
The transformation from a democratically elected government to a military dictatorship reshaped Chile's social political and economic landscape. While some credit Pinochet's regime with modernizing Chile's economy the human cost of his 17-year rule left deep scars in Chilean society that continue to resonate today. His presidency remains one of the most controversial chapters in Latin American political history.