In October 1973, Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet organized the “Caravan of Death," a military death-squad charged with eliminating perceived opponents of the military regime. Flying a cross-
country circuit by
helicopter, the Caravan of Death landed at military bases throughout the
country and tortured and summarily executed at least 75 political prisoners.
Many of the victims of what became known as the "Caravan of Death" had voluntarily turned themselves into the military authorities. Prisoners were
taken from their cells and summarily executed, often without the
knowledge or consent of the
local military authorities.