"Marxists" at the Polls

Allende's Unidad Popular (UP) Party promised nationalisation of major industries (which had been reticent about training Chileans for the important, better paying jobs), banks and communications networks; sweeping land reform and improved standards of living for the poor. The CIA, and multinationals like ITT, which stood to lose a lot, did their best to prevent the UP from winning the 1970 election. CIA director, William Colby, staled in October 1973 that the CIA had infiltrated all political parties and given $400,000 to the anti-Allende press during the electoral campaign.

In the end, the UP won 36.3% of the total vote, marginally ahead of its nearest rival, the extreme right-wing National Party with 34.9%. As there was no clear winner, the Congress met to decide which of the candidates it would appoint as President. By tradition, the job should have gone to Allende as front runner, but it was not until Allende gave repeated assurances that he would always act in a "constitutional" manner that Congress decided to swing behind him.

The US acted with swift determination. "Not a nut or a boll will be allowed to reach Chile under Allende," stated the US Ambassador, Edward Kerry. "Once Allende comes to power we will do everything in our power to condemn Chile and Chileans to the utmost deprivation and poverty." The US Treasury's Export-Import Bank refused to extend credit. Credit lines from private banks were reduced from S220 million to $35 million. The World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank (both controlled by the US) also refused to continue economic assistance.

Contrasting with this, military aid to the Chilean Armed Forces was stepped up, from $800,000 in 1970 to $12.3 million in 1973. The US also gave selected economic assistance to organisations in Chile which promoted anti-Allende activities.