Pinochet Ugarte, Augusto
Pinochet Ugarte, Augusto (1915- ), military dictator of Chile (1973-1990), born in Santiago, and educated at Chile's military academy. Rising steadily through army ranks, he was appointed brigadier general during the administration of Eduardo Frei Montalva. Under President Salvador Allende he became commander of the Santiago garrison, and in 1972 he was made commander in chief of the army. Pinochet was one of the leaders of the United States-supported coup that deposed Allende in 1973, the first time the Chilean army had intervened in civil affairs. By 1974 Pinochet had emerged as head of state. He quickly curtailed political activity, and his regime was condemned by the United Nations Human Rights Commission in 1977 for its practice of torturing detainees. Pinochet was confirmed in office for an eight-year term in 1980. After an assassination attempt on him in 1986, Pinochet dealt even more harshly with dissidents. A plebiscite in October 1988 denied him the right to continue as president beyond March 1990, although he retained his post as army commander.
See: Chile