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THREAD: On this day, 47 years ago, Augusto Pinochet overthrew Chile’s democratically elected socialist President—Salvador Allende—in a US-backed coup.
The coup was years in the making, and its ramifications were widespread. Here’s what happened ↓
#Chile911
1/16
The coup was years in the making, and its ramifications were widespread. Here’s what happened ↓
#Chile911
1/16
Since 1960, a decade prior to Allende’s election victory, the CIA had been working to disrupt Chilean politics.
They poured millions of US dollars into the Christian Democratic Party, bought off politicians, and assisted with anti-Allende propaganda efforts.
2/16
They poured millions of US dollars into the Christian Democratic Party, bought off politicians, and assisted with anti-Allende propaganda efforts.
2/16
In 1970, the US Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger, said:
“I don’t see why we need to stand by and watch a country go communist due to the irresponsibility of its own people. The issues are much too important for the Chilean voters to be left to decide for themselves.”
3/16
“I don’t see why we need to stand by and watch a country go communist due to the irresponsibility of its own people. The issues are much too important for the Chilean voters to be left to decide for themselves.”
3/16
However, despite their successes, the CIA’s efforts to undermine Allende’s Popular Unity alliance ultimately failed, and he won the 1970 election.
But that didn’t put an end to the US government’s interference; in fact, they immediately plotted to overthrow Allende.
4/16
But that didn’t put an end to the US government’s interference; in fact, they immediately plotted to overthrow Allende.
4/16
Only 11 days after Allende won the election (and prior to his inauguration), Richard Nixon authorised a coup. The plan was to help the Chilean military overthrow Allende.
However, Chile’s commander-in-chief—René Schneider—favoured a constitutional transfer of power.
5/16
However, Chile’s commander-in-chief—René Schneider—favoured a constitutional transfer of power.
5/16
The CIA then kidnapped and assassinated Schneider as part of a false flag operation, intended to turn the military against Allende. However, the plan backfired, causing outrage against political violence and a renewed commitment to a constitutional transfer of power.
6/16
6/16
Allende, now President, launched a number of socialist reforms, nationalising companies and industries owned by US corporations. In response, Nixon implemented a series of sanctions against Chile in order to create the necessary social and economic conditions for a coup.
7/16
7/16
Nixon provided instructions to “make the economy scream” and promptly cut foreign aid to Chile. Furthermore, the US sought to discourage investment in Chile by blocking credit from the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the Interamerican Development Bank.
8/16
8/16
In addition to economic warfare and destabilisation, the CIA also provided opposition groups with at least ten million US dollars. Moreover, they financed an extensive campaign of black propaganda against Allende’s government through the El Mercurio newspaper.
9/16
9/16
As a result of unending economic and political attacks, food prices began to rise, inflation increased, and the economy came to a halt.
With their disruption plan working successfully, the CIA began pressuring the Chilean military to instigate a coup.
10/16
With their disruption plan working successfully, the CIA began pressuring the Chilean military to instigate a coup.
10/16
On the morning of 11 September 1973, the Chilean armed forces declared that they had taken power. However, Allende, who was still at the La Moneda presidential palace, refused to resign.
The palace was besieged by troops, whilst those loyal to Allende stood their ground.
11/16
The palace was besieged by troops, whilst those loyal to Allende stood their ground.
11/16
However, by the mid-afternoon—after numerous brutal assaults and aerial bombardments—Salvador Allende was murdered and the palace was taken.
These were Allende’s final words that were broadcast over Radio Magallanes.
12/16
These were Allende’s final words that were broadcast over Radio Magallanes.
12/16
With Allende dead, Pinochet was now the dictator of Chile, and the country would be subjected to 17 years of military rule.
Pinochet spared little time in establishing a secret police force—the DINA—with Manuel Contreras (a paid CIA asset) at its head.
13/16
Pinochet spared little time in establishing a secret police force—the DINA—with Manuel Contreras (a paid CIA asset) at its head.
13/16
Tens of thousands of Chileans were killed and ‘disappeared’ by death squads, whilst countless more were exiled.
In reality, this marked the beginning of the CIA-backed Operation Condor: a state terror campaign in the 1970s and 80s ran by Latin America’s right-wing bloc.
14/16
In reality, this marked the beginning of the CIA-backed Operation Condor: a state terror campaign in the 1970s and 80s ran by Latin America’s right-wing bloc.
14/16
The military dictatorships of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay—all established through CIA-backed coups—would go on to murder, ‘disappear’, and imprison hundreds of thousands of left-wing civilians, activists, and politicians.
15/16
15/16
This is all recent history and many of the people involved—including Henry Kissinger—are still alive.
The US has destroyed democratic governments all over the world and has devastated the lives of millions. Never let them give lectures on ‘democracy’ and ‘freedom’.
16/16
The US has destroyed democratic governments all over the world and has devastated the lives of millions. Never let them give lectures on ‘democracy’ and ‘freedom’.
16/16
