Build Up

Nixon authorized 10 million dollars to be used to keep Allende from gaining power and to delegitimize his political views by communicating to the Chilean public through US-funded anti-socialist media ads.

'El General se rindio a la muerte' (The general surrendered to death), Santiago Times, 1970.

Despite US efforts, Allende won the 1970 presidential election becoming the first democratically elected communist leader in the Western Hemisphere. After they failed to prevent Allende from gaining power, Nixon, Kissinger, and the CIA plotted to abduct Chilean Army Commander-in-Chief Rene Schneider, because he was opposed to military involvement in political matters and believed in respecting Chile’s democratic processes. The CIA, communicating with allies in Chile through informal channels to keep US involvement secret, established the plan to kidnap Schneider and blame it on Allende supporters.

President Nixon with White House Press Secretary after it is released that Nixon said, "Do everything short of a Dominican Republic-type action," to stop Allende. 'White House Audio Tape,' President Richard M. Nixon and White House Press Secretary Ron Zeigler, National Security Archives, March 23, 1972.

The US hoped these actions would create a ‘coup climate’ in a politically divided Chile and increase support within the Chilean military for a US funded coup. However, Schneider was shot to death after drawing his own weapon. In a rush to cover their actions, the US paid off all Chileans involved and ordered them to throw the weapons used into the ocean. The death of Schneider rocked the country and left many citizens in shock. “Those bullets were meant for me,” President Allende said.

"I don't think anybody ever fully grasped that Henry [Kissinger] saw Allende as being a far more serious threat than Castro. If Latin America ever became unraveled, it would never happen with a Castro.

- Seymour M. Hersh (The Price of Power)

CIA Communications in Chile