The Chilean Coup of 1973

The Chilean Coup of 1973 was a military takeover that occurred on September 11, when the Chilean armed forces, led by General Augusto Pinochet, overthrew President Salvador Allende, the world’s first democratically elected Marxist leader. The coup was marked by violence, including the bombing of the presidential palace. Allende's government, which pursued socialist reforms, faced significant economic challenges and opposition. After the coup, Pinochet established a military dictatorship that lasted until 1990, during which thousands of Chileans were tortured, killed, or disappeared. The event is pivotal in discussions about democracy, human rights, and Cold War geopolitics.