Editing Augusto Pinochet (section)

==Decline and Transition to Democracy==
Pinochet’s regime faced growing opposition due to economic crises and human rights abuses, leading to its eventual end.
	•	1980 Constitution: Pinochet enacted a new constitution, legitimizing his rule until 1989 and granting him significant powers. A controversial plebiscite, marred by fraud allegations, approved it.
	•	Opposition and Protests: By the 1980s, labor unions, student groups, and the Catholic Church organized protests. The 1982 economic crisis, with 20% unemployment, fueled dissent. The Concertación, a center-left coalition, emerged as a unified opposition.
	•	1988 Plebiscite: Under international pressure, Pinochet held a referendum on October 5, 1988, to extend his rule. He lost, with 56% voting “No” to his continuation, forcing a democratic transition.
	•	Transition: Pinochet stepped down as president on March 11, 1990, after Patricio Aylwin won the 1989 election. He remained Commander-in-Chief of the Army until 1998, retaining significant influence.