the Salvador Allende government

Salvador Allende was Chile’s first Marxist president, elected in 1970. His government aimed to reduce inequality through redistributive land reforms, nationalizing key industries like copper, and expanding social programs such as healthcare and education. While his policies gained support among many working-class Chileans, they also faced opposition from business interests, conservative groups, and some international actors, notably the U.S., which viewed his leftist stance as a threat during the Cold War. His presidency ended abruptly in 1973 with a military coup, leading to a brutal dictatorship under Augusto Pinochet. Allende is remembered as a symbol of democratic socialism and social justice.