Augusto Pinochet's Chile

Augusto Pinochet was a Chilean military leader who came to power in a coup d'état in 1973, overthrowing the democratically elected president Salvador Allende. Pinochet ruled until 1990, during which time he implemented neoliberal economic reforms that transformed the economy, promoting growth but also deepening inequality. His regime was marked by widespread human rights abuses, including torture and extrajudicial killings of political opponents. While some credit him with stabilizing the economy, his legacy remains controversial, as many Chileans suffered under his authoritarian rule and rejection of democratic principles. Pinochet's rule continues to shape Chile's political landscape today.