Augusto Jose Ramon Pinochet Ugarte Biography

Authorizes constitutional studies intended to replace the 1925 constitutional framework.

Establishes the commission charged with preparing proposals for a new constitution.

Assumes leadership of the military junta after the armed forces overthrow the constitutional government.

Leads the military junta established after the armed forces overthrow President Salvador Allende.

The military junta dissolves the National Congress and assumes legislative authority.

The military government publishes principles defining its proposed political and institutional reconstruction.

Presents the military government as a programme of national reconstruction.

Sets out institutional objectives intended to guide the military government.

Establishes the National Intelligence Directorate as the regime's principal secret police organization.

Assumes executive power under the title Supreme Chief of the Nation.

Assumes the title President of the Republic while retaining command of the army.

Implements administrative regionalization that reorganizes Chile into thirteen regions.

Implements a nationwide regional administrative structure.

Creates the National Information Centre to replace DINA as the military government's intelligence organization.

Issues an amnesty covering many crimes committed during the first years of military rule.

Launches a package of structural reforms affecting pensions, health, education, labour relations and other social institutions.

Issues a decree recognizing the cueca as Chile's national dance.

Establishes a new individual-capitalization pension system through Decree Law 3,500.

The government declares approval of a new constitution in a plebiscite conducted without normal electoral registers.

Holds a plebiscite approving a new constitution without established democratic electoral safeguards.

Begins reforms permitting new private higher-education institutions and restructuring the university system.

Begins the constitutional presidential period established by the 1980 Constitution.

Promulgates legislation regulating securities issuance and stock-market operations.

Begins allowing selected political exiles to return to Chile as domestic opposition increases.

Confronts the first nationwide protest against military rule amid recession and growing political opposition.

Reimposes a state of siege amid expanding opposition protests.

Accepts a negotiated settlement defining the maritime boundary with Argentina.

Signs the Treaty of Peace and Friendship with Argentina after papal mediation of the Beagle dispute.

Responds to growing United States criticism of the military government’s human rights record.

Faces increasing international financial and diplomatic pressure over human rights violations.

Opposition organizations begin a two-day national strike against military rule.

The government confronts the second day of a nationwide opposition strike.

Survives an armed ambush in which five members of his security detail are killed.

Tightens security measures after surviving the armed attack in Cajon del Maipo.

Receives Pope John Paul II during the pontiff’s visit to Chile.

Prepares the constitutional plebiscite on whether he should remain president for another term.

Begins preparations for competitive presidential and parliamentary elections following the plebiscite defeat.

Submits his continuation in office to the plebiscite required by the 1980 Constitution.

Loses the plebiscite proposing that he remain president for another eight years.

Loses the national plebiscite seeking an additional presidential term.

Publicly accepts the plebiscite result after the No campaign wins.

Accepts constitutional reforms agreed between the military government and democratic opposition.

Oversees the election won by opposition candidate Patricio Aylwin.

Transfers presidential power to Patricio Aylwin after seventeen years of military rule.