Chile, Mexico presidents call for democracy, Santiago protests flare on eve of coup anniversary

SANTIAGO, Sept 10 (Reuters) - The presidents of Chile and Mexico called for the strengthening of democracy in Latin America during a joint address on Sunday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of a 1973 coup in Chile, hours after a peaceful march culminated in violent clashes with police.

Monday will mark half a century since the overthrow of President Salvador Allende by the regime of General Augusto Pinochet, which ushered in 17 years of brutal military rule that saw some 40,000 people imprisoned, disappeared, tortured or killed.

Mexico gave political refuge to 3,000 Chileans during the Pinochet regime.

"The visit of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador ... is a concrete example of this history that unites us and of his commitment to strengthening democracy in Latin America," said Chilean President Gabriel Boric, referring to his Mexican counterpart.

Lopez Obrador recalled how Pinochet's coup impacted him while he was a university student. He praised Allende and called his death during the coup a "horrendous crime."

More:
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/chilean-mexican-presidents-call-democracy-before-50th-anniversary-chilean-coup-2023-09-10/