<Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> The military dictatorship of Chile (Spanish: dictadura militar de Chile) was an authoritarian military government that ruled Chile between 1973 and 1990 . The dictatorship was established after the democratically - elected socialist government of Salvador Allende was overthrown by a CIA - backed coup d'état on 11 September 1973 . During this time, the country was ruled by a military junta headed by General Augusto Pinochet . The military used the perceived "breakdown" of democracy and the economic crisis that took place during Allende's presidency to justify its seizure of power . The dictatorship presented its mission as a "national reconstruction ." </P> <P> The regime was characterized by the systematic suppression of political parties and the persecution of dissidents to an extent unprecedented in the history of Chile . Overall, the regime left over 3,000 dead or missing, tortured tens of thousands of prisoners, and drove an estimated 200,000 Chileans into exile . The dictatorship's effects on Chilean political and economic life continue to be felt . Two years after its ascension reactionary neoliberal economic reforms were implemented, in sharp contrast to Allende's leftist policies, advised by a team of free - market economists educated in American universities known as the Chicago Boys . Later, in 1980, the regime replaced the Chilean Constitution of 1925 with a new constitution . </P>

This dictator and commander of chile's army ruled the country from 1973 to 1990