Q: How did you and your immediate friends and family react to the news of Pinochet's death?

A: My first reacting was one of surprise because I thought Pinochet was going to get over that heart attack and everything was going to be as before. Many people had the feeling that the heart attack was another of his tricks to cheat justice, so it didn't look that bad at first. But when the news of his death came it was surprising and particularly shocking the reaction of people, it was like something they were long time waiting for, and then overnight celebrations and weeping made up all the TV content in all the channels.

About my friends reactions the first thing I have to say is that young people are not really paying much attention to this, they understand that this is a very important episode of our history but that's it. The ones who are really concerned and preoccupied are the older ones, the ones who lived in fear under the oppression of the regime and weren't allowed to speak their minds, or had to remain hidden for fear of being murdered or tortured.

I'm 25 and my friends are of similar ages, so we were kids when all this was going on, so we don't feel it as something to be fighting for on the streets showing placards or celebrating. On the other hand the older members of my family and elder relatives are the ones who are more affected by the news, for instance what my mother feels is great disappointment because Pinochet didn't stand trial and didn't show any hint of repentance for what he did to a part of our countrymen. Some relatives hope that after his death we could finally find reconciliation between ourselves.



Q: What are people saying about this?

 Not much really, we are a rather conservative society and it is not our custom to show our political preferences, if it is not during an elections time. If we do show them it is with respect and with an understanding of others' right of think freely. The ones who are talking more about this are the extremes minorities, by this I mean: the extreme left and the extreme right, but for them to become reconciled we will have to wait.

 
Q: What is the general feeling in Chile regarding this man?

A: The general feeling in Chile is one of a profound division amongst the older generation and a sense of shame amongst the rest.

 
Q: How do you expect this man will be remembered?

 A: As the symbol of what we will never allow ourselves to undergo again in this land, and a symbol of the harm that the US government can inflict on Latin America or any other part of the world; we were very close to becoming a developed country before all this happened but the US screwed us, we had an excellent country and were rather unified, but they made our parents fight and kill each other. That's part of our history and we have learned our lesson, we are now mature and aware.