47 years ago, a car bomb explosion on Washington, D.C.'s Embassy Row claimed the lives of Chilean diplomat Orlando Letelier and his co-worker Ronni Moffitt, sending a powerful message from dictator Pinochet.
Image Credit - Instagram
As the 47th anniversary approaches, Chilean President Gabriel Boric, along with Letelier's family and justice advocates, gather at the site to remember the tragic event.
Image Credit - Instagram
Letelier, a former Chilean Ambassador to the U.S., had served as a defense minister for President Salvador Allende before Pinochet's coup in 1973.
Image Credit - Instagram
Pinochet's 17-year regime was marked by thousands of deaths, disappearances, and widespread torture, leaving a dark legacy in Chile's history.
Image Credit - Instagram
After being released from imprisonment, Letelier, a married father of four, moved to Washington, D.C., becoming a vocal critic of Pinochet's regime and advocating for human rights.
Image Credit - Instagram
On September 21, 1976, a bomb planted in Letelier's car claimed his life instantly, also resulting in the tragic loss of Ronni Moffitt and minor injuries to Ronni's husband, Michael.
Image Credit - Instagram
The international orchestration and brutality of Letelier's assassination sent shockwaves, revealing the lengths Pinochet's regime would go to eliminate potential opponents.
Image Credit - Instagram
Letelier's assassination shed light on the U.S.'s covert efforts in destabilizing Allende's government, exposing the U.S.'s role in supporting Pinochet.
Image Credit - Instagram
Chile's President Gabriel Boric actively addresses the atrocities of Pinochet's regime, emphasizing the importance of truth and justice.
Image Credit - Instagram
The annual gathering not only honors Letelier and Moffitt's memory but also reaffirms the ongoing struggle for justice, democracy, and human rights.
Image Credit - Instagram