Peter Kornbluh: Kissinger’s Role in the Chilean Coup

Peter Kornbluh: Kissinger’s Role in the Chilean Coup

Peter Kornbluh: Kissinger’s Role in the Chilean Coup

Declassified documents reveal the complicity of the Nixon administration in Allende’s ouster.

Copy Link
Facebook
X (Twitter)
Bluesky
Pocket
Email

“It is firm and continuing policy that Allende be overthrown by a coup…. It is imperative that these actions be implemented clandestinely and securely so that the [the U.S. government] and American hand be well hidden.” This directive was written in 1970 by the deputy CIA director in a secret memo—just one of many declassified documents that reveal the role of the CIA and Nixon White House in the 1973 Chilean coup.

Nation contributor Peter Kornbluh joins Democracy Now! on the fortieth anniversary of the coup to discuss the efforts of the Nixon administration to undermine the democratically elected Allende government and the continued failure to hold Kissinger accountable for his role in the atrocities committed by the Pinochet regime.

—Jake Scobey-Thal

An urgent message from the Editors

As the editors of The Nation, it’s not usually our role to fundraise. Today, however, we’re putting out a special appeal to our readers, because there are only hours left in 2025 and we’re still $20,000 away from our goal of $75,000. We need you to help close this gap. 

Your gift to The Nation directly supports the rigorous, confrontational, and truly independent journalism that our country desperately needs in these dark times.

2025 was a terrible year for press freedom in the United States. Trump launched personal attack after personal attack against journalists, newspapers, and broadcasters across the country, including multiple billion-dollar lawsuits. The White House even created a government website to name and shame outlets that report on the administration with anti-Trump bias—an exercise in pure intimidation.

The Nation will never give in to these threats and will never be silenced. In fact, we’re ramping up for a year of even more urgent and powerful dissent. 

With the 2026 elections on the horizon, and knowing Trump’s history of false claims of fraud when he loses, we’re going to be working overtime with writers like Elie Mystal, John Nichols, Joan Walsh, Jeet Heer, Kali Holloway, Katha Pollitt, and Chris Lehmann to cut through the right’s spin, lies, and cover-ups as the year develops.

If you donate before midnight, your gift will be matched dollar for dollar by a generous donor. We hope you’ll make our work possible with a donation. Please, don’t wait any longer.

In solidarity,

The Nation Editors

Ad Policy
x