[Audio] Presidente de la UDI: "Sin Allende no hay Pinochet"

The president of the right-wing political party UDI in Chile, Jacqueline Van Rysselberghe, sparked controversy during a radio interview when she stated that Augusto Pinochet’s dictatorship could not have happened without the previous government of Salvador Allende. According to her, the economic crisis inherited from Allende’s government led to the support of Pinochet’s coup. Van Rysselberghe’s comments were quickly condemned by politicians and human rights organizations, who denounced the trivialization of the human rights violations committed during the dictatorship. Her remarks also reopened the debate about historical memory and the responsibility of different political actors in the events that led to the coup. While some argue that Allende’s government was flawed and contributed to social and economic instability, others emphasize that the military intervention was a violent and illegitimate way to address political differences, and that Pinochet’s regime was responsible for countless crimes, including torture, disappearances, and extrajudicial killings. The controversy highlights the ongoing political polarization and social divides in Chile, as well as the importance of open and honest discussions about the dark chapters of the country’s history.