As part of the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the coup d’état that overthrew the democratically elected government of Salvador Allende in Chile, documents have come to light that shed light on the links of Augusto Pinochet’s children with activities related to drug trafficking. and arms trafficking. According to an investigation by Ciper ChileMarco Antonio Pinochet, one of the dictator’s sons, was involved in business with the company Focus Chile, which had connections with Colombian drug traffickers and Canadian arms traffickers, including the son of influential arms trafficker Adnan Khashoggi.
The Links of the Pinochets with Focus Chile
Focus Chile, a company dedicated to importing trucks with second-hand parts from Europe, was led by Edgardo Bathich. In the company’s records, the names of Marco Antonio Pinochet and his brother Augusto appear, indicating their involvement in the company’s accounting. However, the most worrying thing is that Focus Chile had ties to the world of drug trafficking and arms trafficking.
Among the drivers of Focus Chile was Firmino Tavares, Canada’s main drug trafficker, convicted in 2001 for trying to launder more than $6 million from drug trafficking. Also mentioned is the participation of the Ochoa Galvis family, a Colombian family that was being investigated by the DEA for cocaine trafficking and money laundering. The US DEA had warned about these links between the Pinochets and drug trafficking.
In Focus Chile’s accounting, a loan of $20,461 was recorded in the name of Marco Antonio Pinochet Hiriart. This loan is dated October 20, 1989, two months before the creation of the company was formalized. In addition, a connection with a Citibank account belonging to Edgardo Bathich abroad was identified.
The Role of the DEA
The US DEA also played a crucial role in warning about the Pinochets’ possible links to drug trafficking. A confidential report from the agency indicated that in 1975, Augusto Pinochet Ugarte would have authorized cocaine smuggling into the United States. Despite reports and journalistic investigations that suggested a relationship between Bathich and the Pinochet Hiriarts in the 1990s, both denied said association.
Ciper Chile’s investigation sheds light on a dark part of the history of the Pinochet family and its possible links to illicit activities such as drug trafficking and arms trafficking. This discovery raises questions about the lack of comprehensive research into these investments and connections and highlights the need to shed light on historical events that may have had a significant impact on Chile and the region. The history and findings of this research highlight the importance of maintaining constant vigilance on the events of the past to better understand the present and build a more transparent and fair future.
