Pinochet 's move into La Moneda comes against an upsurge in leftist terrorism, student unrest, and protests against military rule. Many voters might have voted against extending Pinochet 's rule, but did not because they favored other parts of the document, his critics say. Even the poorer classes, who make up one-half of the population, are beginning to share in the obvious economic progress here, they note. But there is no doubt that opposition to Pinochet rule is growing. Meanwhile, the Pinochet government has picked up five suspected MIR members and charged them with the Vergara murder last July.
Santiago newspapers are full of stories linking the murder of Cuba.
While this is troublesome, it may work in General Pinochet 's favor, since the vast majority of Chileans reject terrorism. But the Pinochet government still has big problems. Topping the list is poor relations with the Roman Catholic Church. The church has refused to allow the government to enter Catholic churches in which leaders of shantytown organizations have taken refuge after the government broke up protest demonstrations. It was evident that the church was siding with the poor in Chile .