September 11 means something very different to the Chilean people than it does to those of us in the US. On that date in 1973, Chile's democratically-elected - but Marxist - president, Salvador Allende, was removed from power by a coup, and in the process either committed suicide or was murdered. In his place stepped Augusto Pinochet, one of the vilest dictators of the late 20th century, who held power until 1990. During his reign, thousands were "disappeared" - vanishing into thin air to face torture, imprisonment, and often ejection from a plane over the ocean.
However, the matter is even more complicated for those of us in the USA. While often speculated at the time, declassified documents have emerged in recent years that confirm the CIA's role in supporting the coup. Cold War concerns drove the Nixon administration (and others, certainly) to wield a heavy hand in many places, particularly Latin America. On its own 9/11, Chile received the brunt of that hand.
Things were even worse in Argentina, where the numbers of disappeared exceed 30,000. Despite a shorter duration, only lasting from 1976-1983, the military dictatorship was brutally efficient in crippling the perceived Montonero threat.
The two countries, along with others in southern South America, worked together to quash dissidents through Operation Condor. While primarily focused on left-wing agitators, all manner of political critics fell under its sway, victims of torture and assassination. Through the School of the Americas, the US provided crucial training and support to Operation Condor.
The Legacy Project visited Chile and Argentina in May 2009. Student participants explored the legacy of the military dictatorships of this region, meeting with and interviewing political activists, former dissidents targeted by the dictatorships, contemporary human rights workers and politicians, and many others with firsthand experiences to share. In addition, we spent extensive time in memory sites, particularly former clandestine centers of detention and torture.
In the links below, you can find a great deal of information about the trip, including a detailed trip report; there is no better place to learn about the issues.
Want to learn more? Don't hesitate to contact us!
Scouting Trip Report: Detailed reports from the many meetings we had on our scouting trip to Chile and Argentina in May 2009
Argentine Detention Centers: An overview of the major ex-Clandestine Centers of Detention, Torture, and Execution in Buenos Aires with advice on visiting them
Annotated Bibliography: The most useful books we read in preparation for the program
Other Resources: Assorted links to helpful sites