Coup of September 11, 1973. Bombing of La Moneda (presidential palace)
In accordance with our commitment to increased transparency, the U.S. Government has declassified and released portions of the President’s Daily Briefs related to Chile from September 8, 1973 and September 11, 1973.
8 September 1973 PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS Cambodia, (Page 1) The North Vietnamese are bui din will enable them to resupply the Vietnam and Cambodia virtually w weather. (Page 2) ads in Laos that ces in South ut regard to the EC political directors, in preparation for President Nixon’s visit to Europe, made some progress this week toward a draft declaration on US-EC relations. (Page 3) A number of reports have been received from Chile indicating the possibility of an early military coup attempt. (Page 4) Libya has laid a minefield outside its territorial waters. (Page 5) FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY Approved for Release: 2023/08/14 C07079876 Approved for Release: 2023/08/14 C07079876 FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY CHILE A number of reports have been received fr Chile indicating the Possibility of an oarlv ml tary coup attempt. unrest centers in the navy, whose per- sonne1 have been on edge about the imminent naming of a new service chief. Navy men plotting to over- throw the government now claim army and air force support. There is no evidence of a coordinated tri- service coup plan. Army generals in fact. ZateZu have been talking of ways of building tnterservtce unity with a view to increas- ing the military’s influence on the gov- ernment. Should hotheads in the navy act in the belief they will automatically receive support from the other services, they could find themselves isolated. There are also indications that naval officers could be planning joint anti-government actions with militant civilian opponents of the regime. The far- rightist Fatherland and Freedom Movement has been blocking roads and provoking clashes with the na- tional police, adding to the tension caused by con- tinuing strikes and opposition political moves. President Allende earlier this week said he believed the armed forces will ask for his resigna- tion if he does not change his economic and polit- ical policies. He raised the prospect of an “armed confrontation” between his followers and the mili- tary. Allende said his supporters do not have enough weapons to prevail in such an event and that it would do no good to try to distribute more arms now, since the military would not permit it. He concluded that the only solution is a “political one.” Allende seemed to be trying to convince that the situation is se- rious and requires cautious handling, and that some tactical political retreats may be in order. He is worried about the sustained opposition pressures against him and, especially, about the intentions of the military. 4 FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY Approved for Release: 2023/08/14 C07079876
PRESIDENT ONLY THE PRESIDENT’S DAILY BRIEF 11 September 1973 PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS Lao Prime Minister. Souvanna Phouma’s chances are good for gaining cabinet approval to sign the agree- ment with the Communists this Friday. (Page 1) A North Vietnamese military recruitment campaign which began last month could provide some indication of Hanoi’s intentions in South Vietnam for the next dry season, which runs from October to May. (Page 2) In Chile, plans by navy officers to tri militAry action against the Allende government reportedly have the support of some key army units. (Page 3) The Soviet Union’s Ryad program to develop a series of third-generation computers is at least three years behind schedule. (Page 4) Notes on Iceland, China, and Norway appear on Page 3.3(b)(1) FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY Approved for Release: 2023/08/14 C07079877 Approved for Release: 2023/08/14 C07079877 FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY CHILE Plans by navy officers to trigger military action against the Allende government are supported by some key army units,7 The navy is also counting on help from the air force and the national police. Although military officers are increas- ingly determined to restore political and economic order, they may still Zack an effectively coordinated plan that would capitalize on the widespread civil- ian opposition. Socialists, leftist extremists, and Com- munists are equally determined not to compromise. They are gambling that the military and political opposition cannot carry out moves to oust the government or even to impose restraints on it. Pres- ident Allende, for his part, still hopes that temporizing will fend off a showdown. FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY Approved for Release: 2023/08/14 C07079877
They are now available via the following links:
https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/document/07079876
https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/document/07079877
Along with the thousands of documents previously declassified, the release of these PDBs today demonstrates our enduring commitment to the U.S.-Chile partnership and is consistent with our joint efforts to promote democracy and human rights in our own countries and around the world.
The declassification of documents is a complex interagency process, during which the government considers many factors, including national security, protecting sources and methods, and other risks and benefits of releasing specific information. Taking these factors into account, the U.S. Government completed this declassification review in response to a request from the Government of Chile and to allow for a deeper understanding of our shared history. We remain committed to working with our Chilean partners to try and identify additional sources of information to increase our awareness of impactful events throughout our shared history and further strengthen this important relationship between our two countries.
HISTORY
The 1973 Chilean coup d’état was a military overthrow of the Popular Unity government in Chile, led by President Salvador Allende. Allende, the first Socialist to be elected president in a Latin American liberal democracy,faced significant social unrest, political tension with the opposition-controlled Congress, and economic warfare ordered by US President Richard Nixon. On September 11, 1973, a group of military officers, led by General Augusto Pinochet, seized power in a coup, ending civilian rule.
Following the coup, the military established a junta that suspended all political activities in Chile and suppressed left-wing movements, particularly communist and socialist parties, as well as the Revolutionary Left Movement (MIR). Pinochet swiftly consolidated power and was officially declared President of Chile in late 1974. The Nixon administration, which had played a role in creating favorable conditions for the coup, promptly recognized the junta government and supported its efforts to consolidate power.
During the air raids and ground attacks preceding the coup, Allende delivered his final speech, expressing his determination to remain in the presidential palace and rejecting offers of safe passage for exile. Salvador Allende died in the palace, although the exact circumstances of his death are still disputed.
Chile had previously been regarded as a symbol of democracy and political stability in South America, while other countries in the region suffered under military juntas and caudillismo The collapse of Chilean democracy marked the end of a series of democratic governments that had held elections since 1932. Historian Peter Winn described the 1973 coup as one of the most violent events in Chilean history. It initiated a brutal and long-lasting campaign of political suppression through torture, murder, and exile, which significantly weakened leftist opposition to the Pinochet regime within Chile. In 1988, an internationally supported plebiscite held under the military junta led to a peaceful transition to a democratic civilian government.