Augusto Pinochet quotes

Augusto Pinochet was a Chilean military leader and dictator who ruled Chile for nearly two decades. His regime is remembered for implementing harsh authoritarian policies and widespread human rights abuses. He remains a highly controversial figure in Chilean and world history. Here are 33 of his quotes:

During 65 years, I have walked the path of duty and discipline... And today, looking back at that long path of service, my soldier's heart stirs and murmurs from deep within: Thank you. Thank you, my homeland.

Augusto Pinochet

I'm not a dictator. It's just that I have a grumpy face.

Augusto Pinochet

Not a single leaf moves in this country if I'm not the one moving it.

Augusto Pinochet

I'm not someone who usually sends out threats. I warn only once. The day they touch one of my men, the rule of law is over.

Augusto Pinochet

Don't forget that in the history of the world, there was a plebiscite, in which Christ and Barabbas were being judged, and the people chose Barabbas.

Augusto Pinochet

The only solution to the issue of human rights is oblivion.

Augusto Pinochet

The rich people are those who create wealth, and you have to treat them well so they continue to give wealth.

Augusto Pinochet

Rome cut off the heads of Christians and they continued to reappear one way or another. Something similar happens with Marxists.

Augusto Pinochet

The nation is trying to make Chile a country of proprietors, not of proletarians.

Augusto Pinochet

The freedoms which had been so hard won from colonial domination were being crushed by Soviet-inspired and funded military and political forces. Their clear intention was to deprive the people of their democratic freedoms. As history shows, this is what had happened in the Soviet Union and in Cuba, and continues to be the case in other parts of the world.

Augusto Pinochet

My library is filled with UN condemnations.

Augusto Pinochet

I was only an aspiring dictator. I was never a real dictator.

Augusto Pinochet

Had I been a dictator, I would still be governing.

Augusto Pinochet

He could have a thousand faults, but I do not blame anyone in particular and I despise brutality with which the Nazis acted against Israelites; but the fault is not only of Hitler, but a group of high-ranked dignitaries.

Augusto Pinochet

I devalued the peso solely looking after the poor.

Augusto Pinochet

I have lived with my conscience and my own memories for over quarter of a century since the events of 1973.... These are not easy reflections for me. But I am at peace with myself, and with the Chilean people, about what happened. I am clear in my mind that the return to Chile of true democracy, and from that the true freedom to which all individual people are entitled, could not have been achieved without the removal of the Marxist government.

Augusto Pinochet

I'm looking at them from above, because God put me there.

Augusto Pinochet

I have a sour face. Maybe that's why they say I'm a dictator.

Augusto Pinochet

Everything I did, all my actions, all of the problems I had I dedicate to God and to Chile, because I kept Chile from becoming Communist.

Augusto Pinochet

If Senator Kennedy is elected President of the United States, the government of Chile will take the necessary measures.

Augusto Pinochet

To whom are we going to ask to be forgiven? To the one who tried to kill us? To the one who tried to destroy our country? To whom? They are the ones who must ask to be forgiven for everything they did before September 11.

Augusto Pinochet

The country is safe, because we have a good intelligence service.

Augusto Pinochet