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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 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>

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 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.