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[[Image:342px-Pinochet de Civil.jpg|right|thumb]]

[[Image:342px-Pinochet de Civil.jpg|right|thumb]]

General '''Augusto José Ramón Pinochet Ugarte''' (1915–2006) was a Chilean soldier and politician who served as Chile's head of state from 1973 to 1990. He came to power as a member of a council of military leaders after the overthrew the government of President [[Salvador Allende]] on 11 September 1973. Allende, a Marxist, had been elected to his position with a 36% plurality in 1970, but he had been accused of violating the Chilean constitution and condemned for his conduct by the Chilean legislature and by civil society organisations.

General '''Augusto José Ramón Pinochet Ugarte''' (1915–2006) was a Chilean soldier and politician who served as Chile's head of state from 1973 to 1990. He came to power as a member of a council of military leaders after the overthrew of the government of President [[Salvador Allende]] on 11 September 1973. Allende, a radical Marxist, had gained power after getting a 36% plurality of the popular vote in 1970, but he had been accused of violating the Chilean constitution and condemned for his conduct by the Chilean legislature and by civil society organizations.

General Pinochet headed a military government for 16 years (1974-1990) as he fought and defeated [[communist]] opponents in Chile.  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.  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 widely reguarded as fraudulent.  The Pinochet government is alleged to be one of the most repressive in the Americas.  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> In addition, over a quarter million Chileans were arrested.  Universities were purged, books burned, and rival political parties banned.  Thousands 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>

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 widely regarded as fraudulent.  The Pinochet government is alleged to be one of the most repressive in the Americas.  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> This includes treasonous Marxist revolutionaries and people who died in private disputes. In addition, over a quarter million Chileans were arrested.  Universities were purged, books burned, and rival political parties banned.  Thousands 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.