I’ve been to Santiago before—on TV

When I was a student in Spain we watched on TV as the elected government of Chile was violently overthrown by the military. I remember the scenes of students who were rounded up to cut their long hair. But that was nothing compared to what was to come.

I visited the Museum of Memories that highlights the terror and torture. Books and songs were banned. Sound familiar? The schools became part of patriotic indoctrination.

The museum highlighted past abuses in most of the countries I had visited. Timor Leste, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Nepal…and what’s going on today with the children in Gaza and Ukraine.

And now decades later with democracy, the usual campaign slogans: Defend the police, Stop communism. The name of their Justice Department is Ministry of Justice and Human Rights.

Every city seems to have a hill to climb…typically with Christ at the top. And in Santiago it comes with a beautiful view of the Andes that tower over the city.

First time in Santiago, but I feel like I’ve been here before in history and novels and movies…and TV.Read more