Augusto Pinochet tried using military forces in a way that his generals did not agree with, which is actually why they ended his rule. U.S. Officials had warned Chilean leaders that Pinochet would use force to try and stay in power. Pinochet had planned to do whatever was necessary to keep his power. He has even stated; “I’m not leaving, no matter what." The document had showed that the U.S. officials actually backed the anti-Pinochet campaign. A majority of the people denied him presidency at the election that actually forced him to step down. Even though Pinochet stepped down, the yes supporters had still had an influence making it so that Parliament blocked any new reforms.
"Augusto Pinochet was a career army officer and military dictator of Chile from 1973 to 1990. His years in power were marked by inflation, poverty and the ruthless repression of opposition leaders."
“On September 11, 1973, less than 20 days after he was made commander-in-chief of the army, Pinochet ordered his troops to take Santiago and ordered an air strike on the presidential palace.” Allende had died and Pinochet became part of a four-man ruling junta, and then later seized power for himself.
Pinochet and Chile were heavily involved with ‘Operation Condor’, which worked with other governments such as; Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Operation Condor was involved in thousands of kidnappings, disappearances, assassinations, and thousands were killed.
Operation Condor got Pinochet into a lot of trouble after he had stepped down from his presidency. While visiting in the UK, his past had caught up with him and his opponents had charged him in Spanish court. “He was charged with several counts of murder, torture and unlawful kidnapping.” Due to Pinochet being in his late 70s in 2002, the charges against him were dropped and it was said that he was unfit for trial. Although in 2006 he was then charged with more crimes but before they could further the charges, Pinochet had died.
Sources:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/24/world/americas/pinochet-tried-defying-defeat-papers-show.html?_r=0
http://latinamericanhistory.about.com/od/20thcenturylatinamerica/p/pinochetbio.htm
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