BIO: AUGUSTO PINOCHET UGARTE

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
00201548
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
U
Document Page Count: 
2
Document Creation Date: 
March 16, 2022
Document Release Date: 
October 12, 2016
Sequence Number: 
Case Number: 
F-2016-02447
Publication Date: 
May 17, 1976
File: 
Body: 
,iAi5,"643104,41010 'Approved for Release: 2016/09/30 C00201548:.:: ehl/a moriNnA NOFORN/WARNING (E�SENSITIVE INTELLIGENCE SOURCES AND HODS INVOLVED Au gusto PINOCHET Ugarte CHILE (Phonetic: peenohSHAY) President; Commander in Chief of the Army Addressed as: Mr. President Army Commander since August 1973, Maj. Gen. Augusto Pinochet became President after he led the September 1973 coup against President (1970- 13) Salvador Allende. Pinochet is totally dedicated to the estab- lishment in Chile of a new political and economic order free of all vestiges of Marxism. A man known for his tough- ness, he will not tolerate any opposition to the government. He is an inflexible anti-Communist and dislikes politicians of all persuasions, blaming them for the chaos that necessitated the Allende overthrow. To international ciltics, Pinochet is the personification of all the evils they see in Chile, and he is the butt of continual, abusive personal criticism from abroad. Defensive in the face of criticism of his regime, he readily blames such excoriation on an international cam- paign orchestrated by the Soviet Union euld Cuba to bring about the demise of the government, and he is quick to brand almost any form of opposi- tion to the junta as a spinoff of that campaign. The President views the international system in cold war terms, and he points to Communist sictories in Southeast Asia and the Cuban inter- Nwition in Angola to prove the fallacy of the US policy of detente. Pinochet admires the United States but is perplexed by the US posture toward Chile. He has been disappointed and frustrated with the level of US assistance and the lack of moral backing, claiming "we have been better allies to you than you heve to us." Pinochet is unsophisticated in international relations and believes that Chile does not deserve the pariah status that its human rights practices have Approved for Release: 2016/09/30 C00201548 � Approved for Release: 2016/09/30 C00201548, .P FIDENTIAL NOFORN /WARN ING ICE--SENSITIVE INTELLIGENCE SOURCES AN THODS INVOLVED produced. He nevertheless .ecognizes that there have been human rights abuses and has shown a desire to remedy the situation, but he has been unwilling or unable to effect the significant improvements demanded by critics. He has visited the United States at least three times, most recently in 1968. Domestically, Pinochet's predominance and influence within the government have grown at the expense of his fellow junta members since the coup--not without some strains. He is widely accepted as President, and there is no effective opposition to his rule. Not a charismatic man, he is nevertheless genuinely popular in Chile. He frequently travels within the country making public appearances, exhorting people to work together for the national reconstruction and condemning Chile's critics. Pinochet's forays at times give him the semblance of a grassroots politician, and he is always well received. He fancies himself as a father figure to the country and has expressed a desire to be an elected Presi- dent one day. He has had several run-ins with the Catholic Church and the Christian Democratic Party over human rights matters and violations of the political recess, but, recognizing the influence and importance of both institutions, he has avoided a showdown that could irretriev- ably break relations. Pinochet lacks economic expertise and has entrusted economic policy making to qualified technicians. He has thus far fully supported the tough austerity measures that have been implemented, despite criticism about the adverse impact on tho lower classes. Outwardly tough, rigid and disciplined, Pinochet, 60, can be warm and friendly. Quiet, mild-mannered and businesslike, he is dedicated and hard working; he nevertheless enjoys parties. He likes Scotch and pisco sours. He is inter- ested in sports and likes to discuss world mili- tary problems. Pinochet avidly practices gymnastic exercises every morning. He has written at least three books on seography, one of which has been used as a high school text. Married to the former Lucia Hiriart, the Presi- dent has five children and seven grandchildren. He speaks some French and only a little English. 17 May 1976 Approved for Release: 2016/09/30 C00201548