how long was augusto pinochet a dictator
Former Chilean Dictator Augusto Pinochet Dies Dec. 10, 2006 General Augusto Pinochet, who ruled Chile as a dictator for 17 years, is dead. He led the military coup that overthrew Chile's elected socialist president, Salvador Allende, in 1973. He was ruthless in eliminating his political opponents in Chile, and ultimately was held responsible for the torture and deaths of thousands of people.