CHILE REFLECTS ON FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF PINOCHET’S DEATH

Monday, the first anniversary of Gen. Augusto Pinochet’s death, evoked wide-ranging reflections on the former dictator’s legacy. Pinochet died on December 10, 2006 shortly after turning 91 (ST, Dec. 10, 2006, Dec. 11, 2006).

Pinochet governed Chile for 17 years before finally ceding power in 1990, but the impact of his rule still resonates strongly both in the nation’s political life and its collective consciousness. He is still accused of thousands of disappearances, murders, and cases of torture. An official report prepared by an independent commission during by the first civilian government following Pinochet’s rule determined that 3,197 people were killed for political reasons during his regime and more than 1,000 of them “disappeared.” Additionally, some suspect Pinochet of stealing as much as US$100 million from the Chilean treasury both during and after his regime.”*

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