At 6:12 Sunday Morning, I was awakened by a call from Karine Mayer the Deputy News Editor at Sky News in London. Karine said that General Augusto Pinochet had suffered a heart attack and asked if I could find more information and go on air with a two-way (question and answer) on their morning show.
I quickly called my contacts at Radio Bío-Bío; I spoke with News Director Nibaldo Mosciatti, who was working the Sunday shift. He told me that around, 2:15 AM they received a call from a listener advising them that the listener had seen General Pinochet arrived at Santiago’s Military hospital, and that he was attached to medical equipment. The listener added he had seen Pinochet’s wife Lucia by his side. Nibaldo added that the Military Hospital issued a press release at 4 AM.
The Military Hospital said: “General Pinochet suffered a heart attack and had fluid build-up in his lungs. The statement added Pinochet is in serious but stable condition.
The Hospital added a further statement would be issued at around 9 AM. However, at around 7 AM, Chile’s Army Press Office said they would be making a statement updating Pinochet’s condition.
Saturday past (Nov. 25) during celebrations of his 91rst birthday, a bloated Pinochet made a public appearance at his home to salute well wishers. Then Pinochet's wife read a letter to the gathering of supporters and friends outside their home that Pinochet took political responsibility for all of his government's action.
But the former dictator did not apologize for the bloody crackdown against his opponents. An estimated 30,000 people were tortured, murdered and disappeared during his rule. Moreover, nearly one million went into political or economic exile.
On Monday, a Santiago Judge placed Pinochet under house arrest charged with the killing of two former presidential bodyguards of deposed president Salvador Allende. Pinochet overthrew the duly elected government of Socialist president Allende in September 1973.
In 2000, Pinochet was charged for his role in the notorious caravan of death case. But the Supreme Court ruled Pinochet mentally unfit to stand trial.
However, mental examinations performed this year proved otherwise. The Supreme Court lifted Pinochet's immunity and ordered his prosecution in this case and cases of torture in the infamous Villa Grimaldi concentration camp.
The former dictator also faces charges of tax evasion and illicit enrichment.
Now is wait-and-see time on Pinochet’s condition and repercussions of the news.
