Real Dictators: Pinochet Part 2 – The Caravan of Death

Episode Summary

Introduction

In "Pinochet Part 2: The Caravan of Death," the award-winning podcast Real Dictators delves deeper into the dark days following General Augusto Pinochet's military coup in Chile. Hosted by Paul McGann, this episode meticulously chronicles the events of September 11, 1973, highlighting the strategic maneuvers, brutal repression, and the establishment of Pinochet's enduring dictatorship.

Background to Pinochet's Rise

The episode opens on September 10, 1973, in Santiago, Chile, portraying a tense atmosphere as General Augusto Pinochet observes the movement of troops in the capital. Chile, under President Salvador Allende, a socialist leader, was grappling with severe economic strife and civil unrest. The podcast recounts how Allende's administration was increasingly destabilized by economic pressures, notably influenced by the United States, leading to diminished public support and growing rumors of a coup.

The September 11, 1973 Coup

As dawn breaks on September 11, 1973, the military coup against President Allende is set into motion. Narration describes how the Chilean Navy, led by Admiral Jose Toribio Marino, takes control of Valparaiso's port, signaling the beginning of the assault. The coordinated efforts across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and police exemplify the unprecedented unity among the military's top brass.

Allende’s Final Stand

Inside La Moneda, the presidential palace, President Allende receives news of the rebellion. Despite urgent attempts to communicate with his military leaders, Allende faces isolation as his phone lines are cut, and key generals, including Pinochet, become unreachable. At 7:15 am, Allende makes a heartfelt radio broadcast urging calm and unity, vowing to protect Chile with his life. However, his defiance is short-lived as Pinochet seizes control of the broadcast network, delivering an ultimatum for Allende's resignation.

Notable Quote:

Journalist Peter Kornblu (10:21): "There's audio of Pinochet talking about how, if Allende wants to go into exile, they'll put him on the plane and then they'll blow up the plane and... kill the bitch."

As the military closes in, Allende resists arrest, leading to a violent confrontation within La Moneda. Despite his efforts to fight alongside his loyalists, Allende is ultimately forced to take his own life, marking the tragic end of Chilean democracy for the next 17 years.

Aftermath of the Coup

Following Allende's demise, Pinochet's forces swiftly move to consolidate power. The podcast details the immediate crackdown on Allende's supporters, with thousands detained and subjected to brutal treatment. The establishment of detention centers, such as the National Football Stadium and Estadio Chile, becomes the grim reality for those opposing the new regime.

The Caravan of Death

A pivotal segment of the episode focuses on the formation of the "Caravan of Death," a covert killing squad led by Brigadier General Sergio Ariano. This unit was tasked with eliminating perceived threats to Pinochet's rule. The Caravan of Death traveled across Chile, executing prisoners extrajudicially, instilling widespread fear, and systematically eradicating leftist opposition.

Notable Quote:

Journalist (33:09): "A Puma helicopter flew between prisons and these sort of makeshift detention centers around Chile. It went south first and it went north slightly later, basically taking machetes and hacking apart, torturing and then murdering prisoners."

The episode recounts harrowing accounts of mass executions in cities like Antofagasta and Calama, where entire groups of young men were brutally murdered, their bodies left unidentifiable to erase traces of dissent.

International Involvement and Operation Condor

Real Dictators sheds light on the significant role played by the United States in facilitating Pinochet's rise. Through strategic support and economic pressure led by Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, the CIA aided in destabilizing Allende's government, culminating in the coup. The podcast references declassified communications revealing the U.S. government's satisfaction with the overthrow, despite the lack of public acknowledgment.

Notable Quote:

Analyst (22:57): "When the Chilean military finally did overthrow Salvador Allende, Kissinger got on the phone with Richard Nixon. We have the declassified transcript... Kissinger told Nixon, you know, in the Eisenhower period we would be heroes."

Furthermore, the episode explores Chile's involvement in Operation Condor, a coordinated effort among South American dictatorships to suppress and eliminate political opposition, extending Pinochet's influence beyond Chile's borders.

Consolidation of Power by Pinochet

As the dust settles, Pinochet moves to cement his authority. Contrary to initial plans for a rotating junta leadership, Pinochet, encouraged by his wife Lucia, positions himself as the supreme leader, sidelining his fellow junta members. This strategic maneuver ensures his unrivaled control over Chilean politics and military operations.

Notable Quote:

Journalist (24:08): "It was Lucia herself who convinced her husband, Augusto Pinochet, that he should be the first head of the military junta."

The podcast details how Pinochet established a covert security apparatus to perpetuate his regime's power and suppress any lingering resistance, ensuring that Chile remained under authoritarian rule for nearly two decades.

Conclusion

"Pinochet Part 2: The Caravan of Death" offers a comprehensive and harrowing account of one of Latin America's most infamous dictatorships. Through meticulous storytelling and firsthand accounts, Real Dictators illuminates the brutal tactics employed by Pinochet to seize and maintain power, the international complicity that facilitated his rise, and the enduring scars left on Chilean society.

As the episode concludes, it sets the stage for the next installment, which will explore Pinochet's consolidation of power, his involvement in Operation Condor, and the long-term impacts of his dictatorship on Chile and beyond.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Expert (03:57): "They've decided reason has failed in Chile. Reason gave us Salvador Allende; it's time for force and that's the army."

• Analyst (10:21): "There's audio of Pinochet talking about how, if Allende wants to go into exile, they'll put him on the plane and then they'll blow up the plane and... kill the bitch."

• Journalist (12:22): "From your fryer to the table... [Ad is skipped]"

• Expert (19:33): "The message was really clear. First of all, the people we're going to eliminate, we're just going to kill them."

• Journalist (28:38): "The conditions were squalid. There was sewage leaking. I wasn't prepared for so many people to be held there."

• Journalist (35:45): "There was a torture and detention center which was almost exclusively for female prisoners... Systematic rape and sexual abuse."

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