Salvador Allende | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 26 June 1908 Santiago, Chile |
| Died | 11 September 1973 (age 65) Santiago, Chile |
| Political orientation | Marxism Democratic socialism Anti-imperialism |
| Political party | Unidad Popular (Popular Unity) Partido Socialista de Chile (Socialist Party of Chile) |
Salvador Guillermo Allende Gossens (26 June 1908 – 11 September 1973) was a Chilean physician and socialist politician,[1] who served as the 28th president of Chile from 3 November 1970 until his death on 11 September 1973. He was the first Marxist to be elected president in a liberal democracy in Latin America.[2]
As president, Allende sought to nationalize major industries, expand education and improve the living standards of the working class. He clashed with the right-wing parties that controlled Congress and with the judiciary. On 11 September 1973, the military moved to oust Allende in a coup d'état supported by the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). As troops surrounded La Moneda Palace, he gave his last speech vowing not to resign.