10 December 2006
The damned dictator (updated)
"ya va a caer, y va a caer, la dictadura va a caer"
Augusto Pinochet is dead. The brutality and hate he unleashed upon Chile, and in fact much of South America, will never be forgotten. Maybe he never did pay fully for his crimes (if it is even possible), but he has certainly died a disgraced man.
Consider that since Pinochet fell from power in 1988 and democratic government was restored fully in 1990, a center-left coalition has governed the country. Though authoritarian-conservatives are still a presence in Chilean society, they have been largely marginalized by a government that has instituted far-reaching environmental reforms, outlawed the death penalty, given universal, state-funded access to birth control, been a leading voice in the U.N against the Iraq War and been a regional leader in responding to the humanitarian crisis in Haiti.
Last year, Michelle Bachelet was elected president. Not only the first democratically elected woman to lead a South American country, she is also a survivor of a Pinochet torture center. Her own father was killed by Pinochet shortly after the 1973 coup. She is an agnostic single mother with a background in healthcare. Rumor has it Pinochet rolled over in his grave even though he wasn't dead.
Pinochet and his family have given a variety of half-apologies over the years. The judicial branch has not done a good job of prosecuting Pinochet and his regime for the human rights abuses that everyone knows they are guilty of, but they do have a few high-profile convictions under their collective belt. Last year, the head of the military even issued a very public and conciliatory admission of guilt and apology on behalf of all of the armed forces to the people of Chile. Last year also saw the discovery of a vast series of secret (and deep) bank accounts tied to the Pinochet clan, further destroying any remainder of credibility he might have had.
The point is, the man is now dead, but the name and history will live on, in infamy.
The Santiago Times has more on the ensuing chaos:
"ya va a caer, y va a caer, la dictadura va a caer"
Augusto Pinochet is dead. The brutality and hate he unleashed upon Chile, and in fact much of South America, will never be forgotten. Maybe he never did pay fully for his crimes (if it is even possible), but he has certainly died a disgraced man.
Consider that since Pinochet fell from power in 1988 and democratic government was restored fully in 1990, a center-left coalition has governed the country. Though authoritarian-conservatives are still a presence in Chilean society, they have been largely marginalized by a government that has instituted far-reaching environmental reforms, outlawed the death penalty, given universal, state-funded access to birth control, been a leading voice in the U.N against the Iraq War and been a regional leader in responding to the humanitarian crisis in Haiti.
Last year, Michelle Bachelet was elected president. Not only the first democratically elected woman to lead a South American country, she is also a survivor of a Pinochet torture center. Her own father was killed by Pinochet shortly after the 1973 coup. She is an agnostic single mother with a background in healthcare. Rumor has it Pinochet rolled over in his grave even though he wasn't dead.
Pinochet and his family have given a variety of half-apologies over the years. The judicial branch has not done a good job of prosecuting Pinochet and his regime for the human rights abuses that everyone knows they are guilty of, but they do have a few high-profile convictions under their collective belt. Last year, the head of the military even issued a very public and conciliatory admission of guilt and apology on behalf of all of the armed forces to the people of Chile. Last year also saw the discovery of a vast series of secret (and deep) bank accounts tied to the Pinochet clan, further destroying any remainder of credibility he might have had.
The point is, the man is now dead, but the name and history will live on, in infamy.
The Santiago Times has more on the ensuing chaos:
CHAOS ERUPTS IN CHILE AFTER PINOCHET DEATH
The Santiago Times reports that large demonstrations have erupted outside of the hospital where Gen. Augusto Pinochet died earlier in the day.Update:
Several journalists were attacked by Pinochet supporters.
The Chilean government has not yet made a statement on Pinochet's death.
Former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet died Sunday after suffering a severe heart attack a week earlier.
The 91-year-old general's death has generated mixed reactions in Chile, scores of people clapped and cheered outside the military hospital, while others cried.
By 6pm, thousands of people were marching towards the La Moneda Presidential Palace, many drinking champagne in the streets, causing all champagne in every liquor store in Santiago to sell out.Denied a state funeral:
At 7:30pm, police cleared the streets with tear-gas, sending both protestors and Santiago Times journalists running for cover. The use of water-cannons and tear gas by police is not uncommon, and is frequently used to clear protesting crowds.
President Michelle Bachelet has remained silent on the issue, although she was informed of Pinochet’s death by her advisers early in the day. Government spokesperson Ricardo Lagos Webber said that Pinochet would not be given a state funeral, but that he would receive honors from the Chilean Armed Forces as a former military leader, a decision that has riled many conservative Chilean politicians.
Labels: politics
¶ 3:12 PM
