Background on the Dictatorship and its Impact
The dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet (1973-1990) left a grim legacy in Chile, with an estimated 3,200 victims, including those who were killed and others who disappeared while in police custody. This dark period in Chilean history has led to annual marches commemorating the victims and advocating for justice.
Annual March and Clashes with Police
On Sunday, during the annual march in Santiago to honor dictatorship victims, at least 57 people were detained in confrontations with the police, according to Chile’s Carabineros force. The march, which usually takes place without incident, occurred ahead of the 52nd anniversary of the September 11, 1973 coup led by Pinochet against socialist president Salvador Allende.
Marchers gathered near the presidential palace, La Moneda, and proceeded towards the Cementerio General, approximately four kilometers north. Carabineros reported on social media that the arrests were due to offenses such as manufacturing and launching incendiary devices, disorderly conduct, property damage, and carrying a bladed weapon.
Clashes During the March
Throughout the march route, near La Moneda and at various street intersections as well as outside the cemetery, clashes erupted between masked individuals and Carabineros officers. The protestors hurled stones, flares, and molotov cocktails, while the police responded with tear gas and water cannons.
Significance of the March
Despite the clashes, approximately 2,000 people participated in the march, which concluded at the Memorial of Political Executions and Disappeared Persons, a historic monument within the cemetery where the victims are buried.
“The country lacks memory; we must create it,” said Ana María Carreño (68) during the march, whose father Manuel Antonio and brother Iván Sergio remain listed as disappeared. “Denial is deeply entrenched,” she added, emphasizing the importance of remembering the victims and their stories.
Key Questions and Answers
- What was the purpose of the march? The annual march aimed to commemorate victims of the Pinochet dictatorship and advocate for their memory.
- How many people were detained during the clashes? At least 57 individuals, including 11 adolescents, were arrested during the confrontations with police.
- What were the arrests based on? The detentions were due to alleged offenses such as manufacturing and launching incendiary devices, disorderly conduct, property damage, and carrying a bladed weapon.
- What is the significance of this march? The march serves as a reminder of the dictatorship’s atrocities and emphasizes the importance of preserving the memory of its victims.
