Cold War tensions emerged in a number of Latin American countries in the second half of the 20th century. Today we focused on two case studies: Argentina and Chile. Not only were Cold War tensions obviously strong between the U.S. and Cuba but in a number of Central American countries, as well. We looked at "Peronism" in Argentina as well as the the Chilean Revolution and Augusto Pinochet. Augusto Pinochet (1915–2006) was dictator and president by decree of Chile from 1973-1990. In 1974 army general Pinochet consolidated a new government and declared himself Head Chief of the country and subsequently President of Chile, a post he held until 1990. Pinochet's term in power was characterized by violence against political adversaries.