The presidents of Chile and Mexico commemorated the 50th anniversary of the 1973 Chilean coup in a notable joint press conference on Sunday. This high-profile observance comes amid notable social unrest, as a previously peaceful march devolved into unexpected clashes between civilians and police.
The 1973 coup, instigated by General Augusto Pinochet and allegedly backed by the US, resulted in the overthrow of democratically-elected President Salvador Allende. The consequential 17-year military dictatorship under Pinochet is attributed to the death of more than 3,000 people and the disappearance of over 40,000. Regarded as the “first 9-11” in Latin America, it represents a pivotal moment in history when external forces allegedly intervened to dismantle the nation’s democracy, sponsor Pinochet’s death squads, and impose strict neoliberal policies that initiated a deep economic crisis.
In recognition of the tragic chapter in history, the Chilean government recently announced an initiative to locate the remains of more than a thousand people who disappeared during Pinochet’s reign.
During the joint conference, Chilean President Gabriel Boric stressed the deep-rooted ties between Chile and Mexico. Emphasising the mutual dedication to a democracy prioritizing “The Poor First”, and upholding human rights and international cooperation. Mexican President Manuel Lopez-Obrador reinforced Boric’s sentiments, praising Allende’s commitment to peaceful revolution.
The march, which took place near the La Moneda presidential palace in Santiago, witnessed violence and confrontations between civilians and law enforcement. An Al Jazeera correspondent reported that Communist Party and Socialist Party members participated peacefully, however, some Pinochet supporters were armed with “rocks and Molotov cocktails.” Despite the disruption, the majority of marchers continued peacefully, waving Chilean flags, demanding “truth and justice now”, and chanting “Allende lives.” This served as a powerful reminder of the impact of the 1973 coup on Chilean democracy.
Original coverage from this event can be found at jurist.org.