Pinochet's grandson sets sights on congress seat

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Guardian

Pinochet's grandson sets sights on congress seat
Poll bid may split the centre-right as left-wingers struggle to add to their two decades in power

Gideon Long
The Observer, Sunday 6 December 2009
by Gideon Long Santiago and Rory Carroll Latin America Correspondent

He has one of the most reviled names in Latin America, but after two decades in the political wilderness a Pinochet has decided it is time for a comeback.

Rodrigo García Pinochet is running for Chile's congress in elections next Sunday on the strength of his late grandfather's record as a dictator, dividing rightwingers and raising the prospect of a controversial dynasty.

García Pinochet, 33, is using images of General Augusto Pinochet in his campaign to represent one of the richest and most conservative districts of the capital, Santiago. The general's widow, Lucía Hiriart de Pinochet, has blessed the candidacy: "There's no doubt that Augusto would be proud of him."

The return of a name that once inspired dread and devotion in equal measure comes amid signs that the left-wing coalition that replaced the dictator 20 years ago this month is on the verge of losing power. The popular president, Michelle Bachelet, is stepping down and polls say that the ruling party's candidate Eduardo Frei, is struggling against Sebastián Piñera, a conservative billionaire businessman who would tilt Chile to the right.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/dec/06/pinochet-chile-elections-dictator

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http://3.bp.blogspot.com.nyud.net:8090/_3R2YKt0QtgE/StFK-_N0UPI/AAAAAAAAT3U/aT7HNwKU6WQ/s320/rodrigo_garcia_pinochet.jpg http://www.cambio21.cl.nyud.net:8090/admin/uploads/imagen_49f5a205e65ac.jpg

Rodrigo García Pinochet with his grandfather in the country where the elder
Pinochet liked to say that no blade of grass moved in Chile without his order.

[sasquatch]

1. A white caudillo wants power in Latin America: nothing new

[Mithreal]

2. Maybe Bush can give him some pointers.

[fasttense]

3. Wow, what a strange campaign idea. To use a mass murderer and

dictator who brought an economic collapse as a campaign slogan.

You too can be forced into torture chambers, just vote for me and my dad. Did you like fascism and the disappearance of millions of our citizens? Well, you can have it all again. Just vote for Pinochet. We didn't need your vote to gain power the 1st time. But this time we are letting you vote us in, just because we know you want to.

I suspect something similar will eventually come out of the bush spawns.

[mackerel]

4. Just when Chile was really starting to see improvement.

[NYC Liberal]

11. Someone on another forum had "Bush 2012" in their sig..

And I don't know if they meant W or Jeb.

[Judi Lynn]

12. The last we just barely survived was probably much closer to Pinochet tactics than we know.

He and his advisors nearly had every conscious, conscientious person intimidated, and worried once they got their fear-based regime up and running.

Hope Jeb realizes his family is pure poison to honorable people, every last one of them, and he is clearly not wanted.

http://edbatista.typepad.com.nyud.net:8090/edbatista/images/2006/12/George_and_Jeb_Bush.jpg http://www.michaeltotten.com.nyud.net:8090/archives/images/Jeb%20Bush.JPG http://www.allhatnocattle.net.nyud.net:8090/horses-asses.jpg http://media.washingtonpost.com.nyud.net:8090/wp-dyn/content/photo/2008/04/30/PH2008043002146.jpg

[Peace Patriot]

5. Hope he gets trounced--along with the billionaire SOB running against the socialists! nt

[Mrdie]

6. For all those wondering about Chile under Pinochet...

Here's a good starter link: http://www.huppi.com/kangaroo/L-chichile.htm

[Judi Lynn]

7. Outstanding material. Should be read widely. Saving it for future reference.

Thanks so much, and welcome to D.U., Mrdie! :hi:

[LynnTheDem]

8. "one of the most reviled names in Latin America" ...and yet US republicans supported

And still admire him.

It's them "republican party family values".

They love dictatorships.

[Arctic Dave]

9. Would be a shame if he jumped out of helicopter without a parachute.

[Judi Lynn]

10. He won't be able to use the services of his grandfather's infamous torturer, Osvaldo Romo.

He was one guy who really loved his work, apparently.

http://www.lifeinlegacy.com.nyud.net:8090/2007/0707/RomoOsvaldo.jpg http://www.marietan.com.nyud.net:8090/imagenes/romo1.jpg http://www.elrancahuaso.cl.nyud.net:8090/tmp_images/202/noticia_10060_normal.jpg
Last Updated: Wednesday, 4 July 2007, 19:42 GMT 20:42 UK
Infamous Pinochet-era agent dies

One of the most notorious figures from the regime of former military ruler of Chile, General Augusto Pinochet, has died in prison, officials have said.
Osvaldo Romo, who was serving 15 years in jail for killing three dissidents during Gen Pinochet's rule, died of heart and respiratory problems.

Known as "El Guaton" (The Fat One), he was awaiting trial for human rights abuses committed between 1973 and 1990.

Romo fled to Brazil afterwards, but was eventually extradited back to Chile.

A former officer in the feared Dina secret police force, Romo was accused by his victims of being a sadistic torturer.

Boasts

He worked at the notorious Villa Grimaldi detention centre in the capital, Santiago, where Chile's current president, Michelle Bachelet, was briefly held in the 1970s.

Romo once boasted about his actions in a TV interview he gave in prison.

He said he had told the Dina commander, Gen Manuel Contreras, that it was a mistake not to kill some jailed dissidents.

He said that he told Gen Contreras: "Let's not leave any of these kids alive, my general."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6271462.stm

[Doctor_J]

13. We allready had the torturing son of a torturer here.

Probably just a matter of time before a third generation of the Bush Crime Family buys his way into power here.