Todo Concostrina – "50 años del derribo de la democracia en Chile"

Podcast: Acontece que no es poco
Host: Nieves Concostrina
Co-host: Carla
Date: September 11, 2023
Episode Theme:
A reflection on the 50th anniversary of the coup d’état in Chile, which overthrew the democratically elected government of Salvador Allende and led to the Pinochet dictatorship. Nieves Concostrina explores the causes, repercussions, and recent developments tied to the dictatorship's legacy, paying special attention to the ongoing fight for justice regarding victims such as Víctor Jara and Carmelo Soria.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Significance of September 11 in Chilean Memory

• (00:23–01:03) The hosts discuss how the date—September 11—is historically significant, especially this year, marking 50 years since Pinochet’s coup.
  • Carla notes the ongoing division in Chile and the resurgence of pro-dictatorship voices:

    “El país está dividido… los defensores de esa dictadura, que los hay, se han venido arriba hace tiempo. Y hay bastante ruido, además.” (00:29)

2. The Reality of the Pinochet Coup

• (01:03–02:00) Nieves denounces the brutality of supporting the coup and calls out the hypocrisy of those claiming "patriotism" to justify mass murder:

  • “Apoyar aquel golpe de Estado significa apoyar 3.000 asesinatos, que es que eso es algo absolutamente incomprensible. No sé qué tienen en el alma esta gentuza.” (01:08)

  • She recalls past episodes covering the suicide of Allende and the cover-up of his death, emphasizing the enduring trauma.

3. Recent Legal Developments – Víctor Jara & Carmelo Soria

• (02:00–03:11)
  • Recent court decisions in Chile:
    • Nine military officers convicted for the murder of singer-songwriter Víctor Jara (August 2023).
    • Six secret police members convicted for the 1976 assassination of Spanish diplomat Carmelo Soria.
  • Nieves stresses the importance of remembering the agents and national involvement:

    “No olvidemos nunca poner el apellido de quien lo hizo…” (02:20)

  • Many younger listeners may be unaware of these victims’ significance.

4. The Murders of Víctor Jara and Carmelo Soria

• Poetic Interlude:

  • The song “Te recuerdo Amanda” (03:11–04:05) and “Puerto Montt” (07:52–08:16) are used to highlight Víctor Jara’s emotional and cultural resonance.

• (04:05–04:17) Both Jara and Soria were murdered by the Pinochet regime, with Soria being a UN diplomat holding immunity:

  • “...es que Carmelo Soria tenía inmunidad diplomática.” (04:09)

• (04:17–06:16)

  • Soria, a UN representative, was kidnapped, tortured, and killed by Pinochet’s secret police. His body was staged as a car accident.
  • The hosts discuss the recently declassified US documents proving active American involvement in planning and supporting the coup from the day Allende was elected:

    “...demostrado está que Estados Unidos participó activamente en el golpe de Estado apoyando a Pinochet...” (05:01)

  • Key quote:

    “Los reyes de la democracia estuvieron tres años organizando cómo derribar un sistema democrático. Porque el que había ganado las elecciones era de izquierdas.” (05:32)

5. US Involvement and Economic Warfare

• (06:16–07:52)
  • The US deliberately crippled Chile’s economy to set the stage for the coup:

    “Fue ahogar a Chile. Ahogarle económicamente sobre todo, para que luego apareciera el que se supone iba a rescatar al país del desastre.” (06:16)

  • Blocking loans, sabotaging the copper trade, and greenlighting CIA efforts.
  • The episode reflects on contemporary US politics and antics, bridging them with past interventions:

    “...quizás no resultan ya tan extraordinarios cuando descubres lo que son y lo que guardan debajo de la alfombra.” (07:46)

6. The Assassination of Víctor Jara

• (09:02–11:23)
  • With chilling narrative detail, Nieves recounts how, after the coup, Jara was detained, tortured at Estadio Chile, and eventually separated for a brutal execution:

    “Aguantó eso durante cuatro días… hasta que el día 15 empezó el traslado de prisioneros al otro estadio… A Víctor Jara lo separaron… le ataron las manos a la espalda, le dieron otro palizón, y un militar patriota, muy patriota, el teniente Barrientos, le puso la pistola en la nuca y disparó, pese a que ya estaba muerto... el cadáver de Víctor Jara presentaba 44 impactos de bala.” (10:36)

7. Justice Delayed: The Fate of the Murderers

• (11:23–12:44)

  • Lieutenant Pedro Barrientos, responsible for Jara’s death, fled to the US and only recently lost his citizenship, opening the door to possible extradition:

    “...el estado de Florida le ha revocado la nacionalidad estadounidense… Ahora tiene 76 años… pero no ha soltado ni un duro.” (11:51)

  • The frustration of justice after so many years:

    “Es una vergüenza. Por mucho que condenen a 15 años de cárcel a un tipo que tiene 80 tacos ¿de qué sirve?” (12:44)

8. Present Day Political Parallels

• (12:44–13:49)

  • Nieves draws connections between current Chilean and Spanish right-wing politicians, their mutual admiration, and defense of the Pinochet regime:

    “El presidente del Partido Republicano de Chile… José Antonio Kast… es colega de Santiago Abascal, al que también le caen bien… Se han reunido en Madrid también con el disimulador Espinosa de los Monteros…” (12:54)

• Closing Reflection:

  • Nieves quotes the final poem Víctor Jara wrote in prison, underscoring what was lost and who was responsible:

    “Canto qué mal me sales cuando tengo que cantar Espanto.” (13:26)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On supporting the coup:

  "Tú no eres patriota, tú eres un canalla." — Nieves (02:03)

• On US involvement:

  "Los reyes de la democracia estuvieron tres años organizando cómo derribar un sistema democrático..." — Nieves (05:32)

• On economic sabotage:

  “La economía chilena quedó arruinada. Pero era una ruina diseñada y provocada.” — Nieves (07:07)

• On Víctor Jara’s murder:

  “El cadáver de Víctor Jara presentaba 44 impactos de bala.” — Nieves (11:10)

• On impunity:

  “Es una vergüenza. Por mucho que condenen a 15 años de cárcel a un tipo que tiene 80 tacos ¿de qué sirve?” — Nieves (12:44)

• Jara’s last poem:

  “Canto qué mal me sales cuando tengo que cantar Espanto.” — Víctor Jara, quoted by Nieves (13:26)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Historical context & personal impact: 00:23–02:00
• Recent sentences, memory of Jara and Soria: 02:00–04:17
• Soria’s murder, US complicity: 04:17–07:52
• Víctor Jara’s detention and murder: 09:02–11:23
• Justice delayed, fate of Barrientos: 11:23–12:44
• Political present, Jara’s final words: 12:44–13:49

Tone & Style

Nieves Concostrina maintains her characteristic irreverent, direct, and critical tone, using sharp language ("gentuza", "canalla") to underscore the gravity of the events and her moral stance, while offering a compelling storytelling approach that blends historical rigor with poignant cultural references.

For New Listeners

This episode provides both an accessible historical overview and a powerful moral critique of the Chilean coup, US intervention, and ongoing issues of justice and memory. With evocative narrative, song excerpts, and pointed commentary, Nieves ensures the personal and collective scars of 1973 remain impossible to ignore.