Pinochet's Heart Attack: Bloggers Reactions
Last weekend, ex-dictator Augusto Pinochet, was admitted to the hospital because of a heart attack. The situation awoke national feelings of what he symbolises to Chilean citizens. This post is meant to share some of those reactions:
El Chere (ES) on irreverencia (ES), writes:
¿Qué tienen en común el fin de las dictaduras españolas, brasileras, paraguayas, bulgaras, rumanas y paraguayas?. Los dictadores murieron, fueron tomados presos, exiliados o de alguna u otra forma se les saco de la realidad nacional, acá en Chile esto no pasó. Por lo mismo el proceso de transición a la democracia en Chile ha sido tan engorroso, largo, y lleno de rencores. De una u otra forma Pinochet ha marcado el devenir nacional de los últimos 17 años.”
Patricio Navia (ES) , a Chilean political scientist, posts on his blog an article he wrote for El Universal (ES). He refers to the situations of Augusto Pinochet and Fidel Castro:
Dos de los más importantes símbolos para la izquierda regional enfrentan paralelamente una difícil batalla con la muerte. Aunque ambos parecen aferrarse a la vida con la misma obstinación que se aferraron al poder, el fin está cerca.
Pero la muerte de estos dos líderes sólo consolidará el monumental lugar que ocupan en la historia de América Latina. Los libros recordarán con sus luces y sombras los gigantescos y polémicos legados de ambos. Para la izquierda, Fidel siempre fue un símbolo de la lucha antiimperialista y del ideal de igualdad y justicia social. Pinochet en cambio simboliza las atrocidades cometidas por las dictaduras militares en la región.
However, the death of these two leaders will only consolidate the monumental place they have in Latin American history. The books will remember their gigantic and controversial legacies with lights and shadows. For the right wing, Fidel has always been a symbol of the anti-imperialist fight and the ideal of equality and social justice. Pinochet, instead, symbolizes the atrocities committed by the military dictatorships of the region.
BAD (ES) opines about why the left wing has beeen so calm about Pinochet's health:
A pesar de todo el dolor que Pinochet ha causado en Chile, sus detractores, no parecen desearle la muerte, al contrario, le desean una muy larga vida. Algunos porque esperan que las dolencias de la edad se encarguen de su sufrimiento. Otros porque esperan tener la satisfacción de verlo juzgado y condenado.
6 comments
What can I say. I am just so sorry for the thousands of people who never got the chance to see this awful man repent and be condemned for everything he did. But he died in the way men like him deserves to die. With no honor and his integrity being questioned surrounded only by his lawyers who tried to clear his name. That was his last vision here. he was a firm beliver in God so I also hope his last moments where filled with the terror of knowing what is in store for his sole.
My sympathy goes out to all those Chilean women and men who now can wake up and look at cordillera Los Andes knowing that his shamefull existance is no more
This is a good day.In Turkish religious,anybody don’t laugh who died,but Pinochet alike
special appearence of Hitler.Best Chilean patriots tortured and died by his bloody hands,included Pr.M.Bachelet’s father.Perhaps you know,there is 3 000 patriots down from airplanes to ocean.There is no their mass graves,sharks ate them.This is original fascist thought.
After Allende,in the period of fascist Pinochet a warship Esmeralda wanted to came Turkish touristic port Antalya,Mediterranien.Two Turkish NGO’s DISK and TUTED declare a press briefing and uprising began in city and Pinochet’s soldiers never landed.
After, Turkey lived alike coup by General Kenan Evren.50 patriots died by juntas judiciary
decides,680 000 patriots sent to military trial,1 600 000 Turkish citizens registered.
A Concentration camp established in every ciyt of Turkey,especially in Ankara.military base Mamak.
I find some knowledges in CIA Factbook about Pinochet on web.First ,they gave him only
160 million$ to destroy Allende’s regime and for kill Chilean people.
Now history will trial everybody.
Good days and happy new year to all Chilean people.
–DISK:Revolutionary Workers Syndication Confederation
–TUTED:All Technical Persons Association
I am currently working on Rios Montt (and others) extradition process to be prosecuted in Spain. It is not good news when someone dies (even if is Fidel or Augusto Pinochet), we cannot dehumanize ourselves. We can not be like them.
But what we can do is join efforts, and help justice, and demand justice , without any privilege. Bring the people to courts as fast as possible. (because of genocide, corruption, and other erga omnes crimes). We cannot be indifferent.
Is not only because of the law, but also because of the victims. I am sure that terrible crimes will exist all the time, but at least the perpetrator will think twice. The Law (and not politics, points of view or prejudices), is following them. Everywhere. No place to hide. Not even dead.