Polls & Research
Archive Search
Most Chileans See Pinochet as Dictator
- Many adults in Chile hold negative views on Augusto Pinochet, according to a poll by CERC. 82 per cent of respondents think Pinochet will be remembered as a dictator, and only 18 per cent believe he will be regarded as a good leader.
Pinochet led a coup d'etat to bring down the government of Salvador Allende on Sept. 11, 1973. Pinochet abolished all political parties, and curbed civil and human rights. A crackdown on political parties and dissidents, known as the "Caravan of Death", killed an estimated 3,000 people, as thousands more went missing.
In 1988, Pinochet was defeated in a nationwide referendum on whether he should remain as Chile's head of state. The general ruled the country until 1990, when free democratic elections were once again held in Chile.
In March 1998, Pinochet retired form the army and became a senator for life. In October, he was arrested in Britain, following a warrant issued in Spain in connection with the torture of 94 Spanish citizens during his dictatorship. Following a 16-month legal battle, Britain's home secretary Jack Straw ruled that Pinochet was not mentally fit to face trial. In March 2000, the former ruler returned to Chile.
In March 2005, a U.S. Senate report revealed that Pinochet had hidden $13 million U.S in 125 foreign bank accounts. In June, a court ruled that the former dictator is not mentally fit to stand trial for the so-called Operation Condor—a violent campaign against political opponents in which at least six South American leaders were allegedly involved during the 1970s.
Earlier this month, Chile's Supreme Court voted to strip Pinochet's immunity from prosecution. The 90-year-old Pinochet is expected to face trial on human rights abuses and malfeasance.
Polling Data
How do you think Augusto Pinochet will be remembered?
As a dictator | 82% |
As a good leader | 18% |
Source: Centro de Estudios de la Realidad Contemporánea (CERC)
Methodology: Interviews with 1,200 Chilean adults, conducted from Jul. 27 to Aug. 6, 2006. Margin of error is 2.3 per cent.