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General Pinochet headed a military government for 16 years (1974-1990) as he fought and defeated [[communist]] opponents in Chile.  [[Leftists]] have hated Pinochet ever since for defeating them.  Pinochet was at one time a military subordinate of [[Salvador Allende]].  After the [[coup]], Pinochet saw support from [[America]].

General Pinochet headed a military government for 16 years (1974-1990) as he fought and defeated [[communist]] opponents in Chile.  [[Leftists]] have hated Pinochet ever since for defeating them.  Pinochet was at one time a military subordinate of [[Salvador Allende]].  After the [[coup]], Pinochet saw support from [[America]].

General Pinochet instituted free market reforms in Chile in the 1970s that resulted in lower [[inflation]] and an economic boom from 1976 to 1979. He held a [[plebiscite]] on his rule and 75% of the people affirmed their support for him.  However, the plebiscite is regarded by some as fraudulent.  [[Leftists]] complain that during his time in power over 3,000 people were killed or vanished,<ref>BBC profile http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6167237.stm</ref> but that total includes Marxist terrorists fighting to restore the constitutional government against the treasonous foreign-backed Pinochet dictatorship. In addition, over a quarter million Chileans were arrested. Universities were purged of terrorist sympathizers, Marxist books were burned, and rival political parties banned.  Thousands of members of the Socialist Party of Chile and the Communist Party of Chile fled the country out of fear of the [[secret police]], which routinely tortured citizens.<ref>Augusto Pinochet Biography http://www.moreorless.au.com/killers/pinochet.html</ref> No Chilean leader before or since has shown such contempt for his people's God-given freedom.

General Pinochet instituted free market reforms in Chile in the 1970s that resulted in lower [[inflation]] and an economic boom from 1976 to 1979. He held a [[plebiscite]] on his rule and 75% of the people affirmed their support for him.  However, the plebiscite is regarded by some as fraudulent.  [[Leftists]] complain that during his time in power over 3,000 people were killed or vanished,<ref>BBC profile http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6167237.stm</ref> but that total includes treasonous Marxist terrorists and people who died in private disputes unrelated to politics. In addition, over a quarter million Chileans were arrested. Universities were purged of terrorist sympathizers, Marxist books were burned, and rival political parties banned.  Thousands of members of the Socialist Party of Chile and the Communist Party of Chile fled the country out of fear of the [[secret police]], which routinely tortured citizens.<ref>Augusto Pinochet Biography http://www.moreorless.au.com/killers/pinochet.html</ref>

A new constitution was adopted in Chile in 1981, which authorized General Pinochet to serve as president for another eight-year term, to be followed by a plebiscite on his presidency.

A new constitution was adopted in Chile in 1981, which authorized General Pinochet to serve as president for another eight-year term, to be followed by a plebiscite on his presidency.