Pinochet's grandson sets sights on congress seat

[Judi Lynn]

Pinochet's grandson sets sights on congress seat
Poll bid may split the centre-right as left-wingers struggle to add to their two decades in power

Gideon Long
The Observer, Sunday 6 December 2009
by Gideon Long Santiago and Rory Carroll Latin America Correspondent

He has one of the most reviled names in Latin America, but after two decades in the political wilderness a Pinochet has decided it is time for a comeback.

Rodrigo García Pinochet is running for Chile's congress in elections next Sunday on the strength of his late grandfather's record as a dictator, dividing rightwingers and raising the prospect of a controversial dynasty.

García Pinochet, 33, is using images of General Augusto Pinochet in his campaign to represent one of the richest and most conservative districts of the capital, Santiago. The general's widow, Lucía Hiriart de Pinochet, has blessed the candidacy: "There's no doubt that Augusto would be proud of him."

The return of a name that once inspired dread and devotion in equal measure comes amid signs that the left-wing coalition that replaced the dictator 20 years ago this month is on the verge of losing power. The popular president, Michelle Bachelet, is stepping down and polls say that the ruling party's candidate Eduardo Frei, is struggling against Sebastián Piñera, a conservative billionaire businessman who would tilt Chile to the right.

More:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/dec/06/pinochet-chile-elections-dictator

http://3.bp.blogspot.com.nyud.net:8090/_3R2YKt0QtgE/StFK-_N0UPI/AAAAAAAAT3U/aT7HNwKU6WQ/s320/rodrigo_garcia_pinochet.jpg http://www.cambio21.cl.nyud.net:8090/admin/uploads/imagen_49f5a205e65ac.jpg

Rodrigo García Pinochet with his grandfather in the country where the elder Pinochet liked to say that no blade of grass moved in Chile without his order.

[struggle4progress]

1. Judge seeks $77 million in Pinochet embezzlement case

MADRID
Mon Nov 30, 2009 12:15pm EST

MADRID (Reuters) - A Spanish judge threatened to seize up to $100 million from Banco de Chile and individuals suspected of laundering funds for Augusto Pinochet, including the former Chilean dictator's widow ...

Garzon has been investigating Hiriart and the bankers since 2004 for allegedly laundering money for Pinochet, after accusations made by the President Allende Foundation, which is involved in distributing compensation to victims of the late dictator's regime ...

In 2005, Garzon secured an $8 million settlement for victims of Pinochet's 1973-1990 dictatorship from Riggs National Corp, which admitted to helping Pinochet launder money.

Banco de Chile has already been investigated by Chilean authorities as part of the probe into possible money laundering by Pinochet, who died in 2006 without going to trial ...

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5AT3C320091130