US state department declassifies more documents about Pinochet’s 1973 coup

Papers reveal how Richard Nixon was briefed on impending military takeover in Chile that ushered in 17-year dictatorship

Two more US Department of State documents relating to Augusto Pinochet's coup d'etat in Chile have been declassified, revealing how President Richard Nixon was briefed on the impending military takeover.

The president's daily brief from 11 September 1973, the morning of the US-backed military coup, informed Nixon that Chilean military officers were determined to restore political and economic order", but may still lack an effectively coordinated plan that would capitalize on the widespread civilian opposition".