Sergio Arellano Stark facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sergio Arellano Stark
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Arellano Stark as aide de camp for Eduardo Frei Montalva
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| Born | 10 June 1921 Santiago, Chile |
| Died | 9 March 2016 (aged 94) Santiago, Chile |
| Service/ |
 Chilean Army |
| Years of service | 1964–1976 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant general |
| Commands held | National Intelligence Directorate |
| Spouse(s) | Raquel Iturriaga |
Sergio Arellano Stark (born June 10, 1921 – died March 9, 2016) was a military officer from Chile. He became known for leading a group called the "Caravan of Death." This group was involved in events that led to the deaths of many people and helped Augusto Pinochet gain strong control over Chile.
Contents
A Military Career
Early Life and Training
Sergio Arellano Stark was born in Santiago, Chile, on June 10, 1921. He quickly moved up in the military ranks. He received special training at the Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in the United States. In the 1960s, he worked as an aide, or helper, to President Eduardo Frei Montalva. He also spent some time serving in Spain.
Role in the 1973 Coup
Arellano Stark was an important officer in the events of September 11, 1973. On that day, a military takeover, known as a coup d'état, happened in Chile. This coup removed the elected President Salvador Allende from power. After the coup, Augusto Pinochet became the new leader of Chile.
The "Caravan of Death"
After the military takeover, Arellano Stark chose a special group of soldiers. For two months, this group traveled from town to town. Their mission was to find people who disagreed with the new military government. These people were sometimes called "rebels" or "dissidents."
This group became known as the "Caravan of Death." It is believed that they were involved in the deaths of many political prisoners. The helicopter squad surprised many local commanders. These commanders were not expecting the group to use heavy weapons. Instead, they thought the group was planning a grand parade.
Arellano Stark's group played a role in helping Pinochet stay in power for 17 years.
Later Years and Legal Challenges
Sergio Arellano Stark retired from the military in 1976. After retiring, he started several business projects. In 1978, Pinochet gave a special pardon to military members. This pardon meant they could not be charged for wrongdoings against people during that time.
However, in 1999, the Chilean Supreme Court made an exception. This exception was for cases where victims had gone missing. In 2001, a retired general named Joaquin Lagos Osorio spoke in a television interview. He said that Arellano Stark showed him papers in 1973. These papers showed Arellano Stark's role as Pinochet's representative. His job was to "review and speed up" the legal process for those who opposed the government.
Arellano Stark disagreed with these statements. He claimed that local military groups did not always follow his orders. Despite his claims, the Supreme Court found him responsible in 2008. He was convicted for his role in the deaths of four people in San Javier. He was sentenced to six years in prison. However, he did not serve this sentence. This was because his mental health was declining. Sergio Arellano Stark died on March 9, 2016. He passed away due to problems related to Alzheimer's disease.
See also
In Spanish: Sergio Arellano Stark para niños
