Fascinating Photos Show Life in Chile in 1988, Year of the Plebiscite and Pinochet’s downfall

Augusto Pinochet, Chile’s de facto leader at the time, held the 1988 National Plebiscite to determine whether to extend his rule for the next eight years through 1996. With nearly 56% of the vote, the “No” side ended Pinochet’s fifteen-and-a-half years in power. As a result of pressure from the international community, big business, and the dictatorship’s unease with Pinochet’s extended rule, the dictatorship respected the results. In 1990, Chileans elected a civilian government, and Gen Pinochet was ousted.

According to declassified documents, Gen Pinochet was furious after the 5 October referendum results were confirmed and summoned the military government to his office to overturn the results. General Pinochet made the same request to other generals, and they also refused. The military ruler accepted he had to relinquish power.

The photos taken by Marcelo Montecino show what life was like in Chile in 1988.

#1 Pescadores, Ancud, 1988

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#2 Abalone fisherman, Chiloe, 1988

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#3 Abalone fishermen, Chiloe, 1988

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#4 Fisherman, Chiloe, 1988

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#5 Feminists, Concepción, 1988

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#6 Puyehue, 1988

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#7 Santiago, 1988

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#8 Santiago, 1988

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#9 Santiago, 1988

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#10 Santiago, 1988

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#11 Acto por el No, Santiago, 1988

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#12 Allende mural, Santiago, 1988

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#13 Andre Jarlan en La Victoria. Andre Jarlan was killed while reading his bible by a Carabinero bullet, Santiago, 1988

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#14 Andre Jarlan, La Victoria, Santiago, 1988

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#15 Barrio Vivaceta, Santiago, 1988

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#16 Celebrating triumph of the NO, Santiago, 1988

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#17 Cementerio Catolico, Santiago, Santiago, 1988

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#18 Clotario Blest, human rights activist and the founder of the Chilean labor movement, Santiago, 1988

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#19 Clotario Blest, labor leader, human rights activist, Santiago, 1988

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#20 Clotario Blest, NO rally, Santiago, 1988

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#21 Communists mural brigade, BRP, 1988

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#22 Couple in La Victoria shanty, Santiago, 1988

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#23 First communion, Santiago, 1988

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#24 Human rights rally, Santiago, 1988

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#25 In the rain, Santiago, 1988

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#26 La Casa del NO, political rally, Santiago, 1988

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#27 La Victoria shanty, Santiago, 1988

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#28 La Victoria, Santiago, 1988

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#29 La Victoria, Santiago, 1988

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#30 La Victoria, Santiago, 1988

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#31 Las Chicas y el mural, La Victoria, Santiago, 1988

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#32 Los amigos, 1988

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#33 No campaign, Santiago, 1988

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#34 NO rally, Santiago, 1988

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#35 NO rally, Penalolen, Santiago, 1988

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#36 Pinochet, Santiago, 1988

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#37 Pinochetista rally, Santiago, 1988

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#38 Rally for the NO, Penalolen, Santiago, 1988

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#39 Relatives of disappeared, May Day, 1988

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#40 Shopkeeper in Cerro Navia shanty, Santiago, 1988

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#41 Soup kitchen, La Victoria, Santiago, 1988

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#42 Soup kitchen, Poblacion La Victoria, Santiago, 1988

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#43 Soup kitchen, Poblacion La Victoria, Santiago, 1988

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#44 The empty pool, Santiago, 1988

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#45 Santiago. The silversmith, 1988

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#46 The silversmith, Santiago, 1988

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#47 The unfinished stadium, Santiago, 1988

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#48 Vamos a decir que “No”, Santiago, 1988

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#49 Winter, Santiago, 1988

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#50 Women watching a violent demo, Santiago, 1988

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#51 Cartagena, 1988

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#52 Los Prisioneros, Santiago, 1988

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