Roberto Viaux facts for kids

Roberto Urbano Viaux Marambio (born May 25, 1917, in Talca – died September 5, 2005, in Santiago) was a Chilean Army General. He was known for planning two attempts to change the government in Chile. The first was in 1969 against President Eduardo Frei Montalva. The second was in 1970, aiming to stop Socialist leader Salvador Allende from becoming president.

Who Was Roberto Viaux?

Before some important events, General Viaux was a respected military leader. He became well-known for leading a small protest by soldiers. This event was called the Tacnazo. It happened on October 21, 1969.

The Tacnazo Protest

During the Tacnazo, General Viaux and his soldiers stayed inside their barracks. They were protesting for better pay for the Army. They also wanted the Defense Minister and the Army Commander-in-Chief to resign. After talks with the government, Viaux ended the protest. The Commander-in-Chief resigned. The government also promised to look into their pay requests.

The Schneider Incident

On October 22, 1970, a group of people tried to kidnap General René Schneider. He was the Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Army. General Schneider believed in following the country's laws. He was strongly against any attempt to overthrow the government.

General Schneider's car was stopped in Santiago, Chile. When he tried to defend himself, he was shot. He was taken to a hospital, but he passed away three days later. General Viaux was later found to be involved in this event. He was then sent to prison.

What Happened After?

Some people have suggested that others outside Chile might have been involved. For example, journalist Christopher Hitchens believed that Henry Kissinger might have been connected. Kissinger was a high-ranking official in the United States government.

However, official U.S. documents that are now public show something different. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) did think about helping Viaux. But they decided his ideas were too extreme. They kept in touch with him but did not give him direct support.

Later, the CIA did arrange for some weapons to be given to another group. This group was led by General Valenzuela. General Schneider was shot on the same day these weapons were delivered. The weapons and some money were later taken back by a U.S. military officer.

Life After Prison

In August 1973, General Viaux was released from prison. He then went to live in Paraguay. He was not part of the major Chilean coup of 1973 that happened later that year.

General Viaux was allowed to return to Chile only in 1990. This was when Patricio Aylwin became president. Viaux lived a quiet life in Santiago until he passed away on September 5, 2005.

See also

In Spanish: Roberto Viaux para niños

• 1970 Chilean presidential election
• Carlos Prats
• Camilo Valenzuela