Changes

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

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

General '''Augusto José Ramón Pinochet Ugarte''' (1915–2006) was a [[Chile]]an [[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 overthrow of the government of President [[Salvador Allende]] on September 11, 1973. Allende, a [[radical]] [[Marxist]], had gained power after barely winning only a 36% plurality of the popular vote in 1970, but he violated the Chilean [[constitution]]{{fact}} and was condemned for his illegal conduct by the Chilean legislature and by civil society organizations.

General '''Augusto José Ramón Pinochet Ugarte''' (1915–2006) was a [[Chile]]a [[dictator]] and [[mass murderer]] 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 U.S.-backed violent overthrow of the democratically elected government of President [[Salvador Allende]] on September 11, 1973. Allende, a [[radical]] [[Marxist]] and Chile's legitimate ruler, had gained power after barely winning only a 36% plurality of the popular vote in 1970, but he violated the Chilean [[constitution]]{{fact}} and was condemned for his illegal 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.  [[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 murdering thousands of people.  Pinochet was at one time a military subordinate of [[Salvador Allende]].  Before and 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 allegedly 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>

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 allegedly 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>