Augusto Pinochet was a Chilean military leader who rose to power through a coup in 1973, overthrowing President Salvador Allende. As the head of the military junta, Pinochet ruled Chile until 1990, establishing one of the most controversial regimes in Latin American history. His government was marked by widespread human rights violations, including the imprisonment, torture, and disappearance of political opponents. While his supporters credit him with implementing economic reforms that modernized Chile's economy, his legacy remains deeply divisive due to the authoritarian methods used to maintain power. Today, Pinochet’s name evokes both admiration from his supporters and condemnation from human rights advocates.
