Trifter

Chile has had a history of terrorism in past years, both left and right wing. The terror cell that assassinated the president , General Pinochet, was a right wing party that was funded by the United States. The assassination ended his eighteen year reign over Chile. The current president, Michelle Bachelet, and her government have been trying to heal the damage done during the years leading up to and the years of his rule. Terrorist parties do exist in Chile, both left and right wing, and have or many years. A breakthrough occurred on April 30th, 1997, when the FPMR (Manuel Rodriguez Patriotic Front) announced that it will be leaving the armed struggle and is applying to become a legal political party. In 1994, the leader of the MJL (Lautaro Youth Movement) was captured, and the group disbanded.

Chile supports the United States’ counterterrorism efforts and policies, and has sought advice from the US on how to improve their own investigations into terrorism. As a result, their terrorism policies are similar to that of the United States. In 2002, there were no acts of internal terrorism, and in 2001 there were advancements in counterterrorism. A letter bomb sent to an embassy was successfully diffused, and arrests made in the following investigation. Chile’s air regulations are FAA standard, and Chile is the South American leader in air safety and security. In 1984, an antiterrorism law was passed that greatly increased the amount of crimes that could be considered terrorism. The major terrorist groups in Chile are the Coordinadora Arauco Mellaca, a group of Mapuche aboriginals who attack farms and police in attempt to reclaim land that they claim they have ownership to. Also a threat are the terrorists in the Tri-Border Area and Chile’s Iquique Free Trade Zone, as trading between extremists has increased in recent years.

Chile has an ongoing struggle between law enforcement and extremists, as well as a bloody history in the matter. Chile has had success in dealing with terrorists, from the Aylwin government’s efforts to the modern day policies that deal with terrorism now.