Assassination of Orlando Letelier

On September 21, 1976, Orlando Letelier, a prominent Chilean diplomat and outspoken critic of the Chilean military dictatorship, was assassinated in Washington, D.C. This event marked a significant moment in the history of international political violence and highlighted the reach of the Chilean secret police under General Augusto Pinochet.

Background

Orlando Letelier

• Early Life and Career: Orlando Letelier was born on April 13, 1932, in Temuco, Chile. He was a lawyer, economist, and diplomat who served in various capacities in the Chilean government.
• Role in Allende’s Government: Letelier was a key figure in the administration of President Salvador Allende, serving as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Interior, and Defense. He was a staunch supporter of Allende’s socialist policies.
• Exile: Following the military coup led by General Augusto Pinochet on September 11, 1973, Letelier was arrested and imprisoned. After international pressure, he was released and went into exile in the United States.

Context of the Assassination

• Pinochet’s Regime: After the coup, Pinochet established a military dictatorship characterized by severe human rights abuses and suppression of political dissent.
• Operation Condor: This was a campaign of political repression and state terror involving intelligence operations and assassination of opponents, orchestrated by right-wing dictatorships in South America, including Chile.

The Assassination

• Date and Location: The assassination took place on September 21, 1976, in Sheridan Circle, Washington, D.C.
• Method: A car bomb was planted under Letelier’s vehicle. The explosion killed Letelier and his American colleague, Ronni Moffitt, while severely injuring Moffitt’s husband, Michael.
• Perpetrators: The assassination was orchestrated by the Dirección de Inteligencia Nacional (DINA), the Chilean secret police, under the direction of Manuel Contreras, a close ally of Pinochet.

Aftermath and Consequences

• International Outcry: The assassination caused a significant diplomatic rift between the United States and Chile. It drew widespread condemnation and highlighted the brutal tactics of the Pinochet regime.
• Legal Proceedings: In the years following the assassination, several individuals involved in the plot were prosecuted. Michael Townley, an American expatriate and DINA agent, played a crucial role in the bombing and later cooperated with U.S. authorities.
• Impact on U.S.-Chile Relations: The event strained relations between the two countries and increased scrutiny of U.S. foreign policy in Latin America, particularly its support for authoritarian regimes.

Historical Significance

The assassination of Orlando Letelier remains a poignant example of state-sponsored terrorism and the lengths to which authoritarian regimes will go to silence dissent. It underscored the global reach of Operation Condor and served as a catalyst for human rights advocacy and legal reforms aimed at holding perpetrators of political violence accountable.