NOVEMBER 2022
ADVICE & MORE
"FORGOTTEN HISTORY" COLUMN
Forgotten History: "The Other 9/11"
Claire Mukigi
September 11th, 2001 is a day that every American knows. However, many people have never heard about September 11, 1973 in Chile, also known as “The Other 9/11.”
During the Cold War, President Nixon and his administration worked hard to combat socialism. In Chile, President Salvador Allende was the Socialist leader, so he was a target for the U.S. Since Chile was moving towards a more socialist regime under Allende’s rule, the U.S. was willing to do whatever it took to prevent the spread of socialism.
Before attacking, Nixon made efforts to weaken the Chilean economy. Later on, this would make it easier to completely bring down Allende.
In 1973, the CIA, as instructed by President Nixon, assisted the Chilean military in overthrowing the president by bombing the presidential palace in Santiago. With the death of President Salvador Allende, the promise of democracy in Chile died for several years.
With power up for grabs, Chilean General Augusto Pinochet assumed control and established a military dictatorship. His security forces murdered just over one thousand Chileans by the end of 1973 alone.
For the next 17 years, Chile was in a state of crisis and fear. General Augusto Pinochet’s secret police, DINA (Dirección de Inteligencia Nacional), terrorized the streets, searching for left-wing activists and Pinochet’s other political opposition. His enemies would be tortured or beaten to death by the soldiers.
Under mysterious circumstances, thousands of Chileans would go “missing” altogether, never to be seen or heard from again. There was never a public record of these missing Chileans or any clues as to where they were. The most substantial trail that was left behind was the countless heartbroken families and friends who would never see their loved ones again.
Those who were able to escape from the dictatorship fled to countries like Canada or Australia for refuge. They were forced to rebuild new lives, unsure of when their home country would see peace and stability again. Many chose to never return, preferring to live in certainty rather than a state of panic and fear.
Several decades after General Pinochet’s reign, Chile is still battling with its traumatic past. Issues like inequality in education and healthcare are one of many problems that were left in the wake of Pinochet’s dictatorship.
Looking ahead, one recent effort that was made was the rewriting of the country’s constitution. An assembly that consisted of 155 delegates attempted to create a constitution that would promote social rights and demilitarization, among other things.
Although this radical constitution was unpopular when it was voted on in 2022, many Chileans, like 71-year-old Ivonne Domange, who fled during the Pinochet years, believe that Chile’s future is an “open horizon.”