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critical risk$28 million (hidden accounts discovered after death)
Augusto José Ramón Pinochet Ugarte
Former Chilean Dictator
US-Backed Dictator, Mass Murderer, Torturer
Overview
Augusto Pinochet was a Chilean general who seized power in a US-backed coup on September 11, 1973, overthrowing democratically elected socialist president Salvador Allende. His 17-year military dictatorship murdered over 3,200 people, tortured 40,000+, and forced 200,000 into exile. The CIA actively supported his coup and subsequent regime. He implemented brutal repression while imposing Chicago School economic"shock therapy."He died in 2006 without facing justice for his crimes against humanity.
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
US-BACKED COUP (September 11, 1973): CIA-supported military coup overthrew democratically elected Salvador Allende
MASS MURDER: Over 3,200 people killed under his regime, including executions,"disappeared,"and deaths in custody
SYSTEMATIC TORTURE: 40,000+ people tortured in detention centers including electric shock, rape, waterboarding
CARAVAN OF DEATH: Death squad traveled Chile executing 75+ prisoners without trial (October 1973)
OPERATION CONDOR: Participated in regional assassination network with other South American dictators
DINA SECRET POLICE: Created brutal secret police responsible for thousands of disappearances
LETELIER ASSASSINATION: DINA agents assassinated Orlando Letelier in Washington D.C. car bombing (1976)
FORCED EXILE: 200,000+ Chileans fled the country during dictatorship
ECONOMIC"SHOCK THERAPY": Imposed radical free-market policies causing mass unemployment and poverty
STOLEN WEALTH: Hid $28+ million in secret foreign accounts while impoverishing country
VILLA GRIMALDI: Notorious torture center where thousands were brutalized
LONDON ARREST: Detained in UK 1998 under Spanish extradition request, eventually released
DIED WITHOUT JUSTICE: Never convicted despite over 300 criminal charges
Related Investigations (5)
Criminal Charges & Violations
11 documented violations
Rome Statute Article 7(1)(a)Crime Against Humanity; Murder (3,200+ killed)(International)
Rome Statute Article 7(1)(e)Crime Against Humanity; Imprisonment (40,000+ detained)(International)
Rome Statute Article 7(1)(f)Crime Against Humanity; Torture (systematic)(International)
Rome Statute Article 7(1)(i)Crime Against Humanity; Enforced Disappearance (1,200+)(International)
Rome Statute Article 7(1)(h)Crime Against Humanity; Persecution (political)(International)
Rome Statute Article 7(1)(d)Crime Against Humanity; Deportation (200,000 exiled)(International)
Geneva Conventions Common Article 3War Crimes; Violence to persons, torture, murder(International)
Convention Against Torture Article 1Torture as State Policy(International)
UN Declaration on Enforced DisappearanceSystematic Enforced Disappearance(International)
Chilean Criminal CodeMurder, Kidnapping, Torture (300+ charges filed)(Chile)
18 U.S.C. § 2331Letelier Assassination; International Terrorism on US Soil(Federal)
Known Associates & Connections
Henry Kissinger
US Secretary of State, authorized coup support
Richard Nixon
US President, ordered Chile destabilization
Milton Friedman
Economic advisor,"Chicago Boys"mentor
Manuel Contreras
DINA Director, enforcer
Margaret Thatcher
British PM, defender and ally
Sources & Documentation
7 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Chilean Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Rettig Report)(1991)
Valech Commission Report on Torture(2004)
CIA Chile Declassified Documents(Various)
Operation Condor Declassified Records(Various)
Letelier Assassination Documents(1976-2016)
UK House of Lords Pinochet Judgment(1999)
Pinochet Riggs Bank Investigation(2004)
Personal Information
- Born
- November 25, 1915
- Birthplace
- ValparaÃÂso, Chile
- Also Known As
- El General, The Dictator, Captain General
Education
- •Chilean Military Academy (1933-1936)
- •Chilean War Academy
Key Timeline
November 25, 1915
Born in ValparaÃÂso, Chile
1933
Enters Chilean Military Academy
1970
Salvador Allende elected president democratically
1970
Nixon orders CIA to"make the economy scream"
1973
Named Army Commander-in-Chief by Allende
September 11, 1973
COUP: Military seizes power, Allende dies, Pinochet takes control
October 1973
Caravan of Death executes 75+ political prisoners
1974
Creates DINA secret police
1974
Assumes title of"President"of military junta
1975
Operation Condor coordination begins with regional dictators
September 21, 1976
DINA assassinates Orlando Letelier in Washington D.C.
1980
New constitution passed in fraudulent plebiscite
1988
Loses plebiscite on continued rule
1990
Leaves presidency but remains Army Commander
1998
Arrested in London under Spanish extradition request
2000
Released from UK on health grounds
2000-2006
Faces multiple prosecutions in Chile, uses health excuses
2004
Secret Riggs Bank accounts discovered ($28M)
2006
Stripped of immunity, placed under house arrest
December 10, 2006
Dies without conviction, Human Rights Day
2023
50th anniversary of coup, ongoing accountability efforts