El que fuera máximo mandatario entre 1964 y 1970 murió tras someterse a una operación rutinaria de hernia en la que contrajo una infección bacteriológica
En estos momentos dos jueces investigan la muerte de dos expresidentes chilenos. Se trata del socialista Salvador Allende (1970-1973), quien presumiblemente se suicidó en el Palacio de la Moneda bajo el bombardeo de la aviación golpista; y de su antecesor, el demócrata cristiano Eduardo Frei Montalva (1964-1970), quien falleció en enero de 1982 a la edad de 71 años en muy extrañas condiciones. Tan extrañas, que el juez chileno Alejandro Madrid acusó en diciembre de 2009 a seis personas de asesinato y la embajada de Estados Unidos en Santiago de Chile emitió un cable confidencial en el que detallaba todos los pormenores del caso .
A pesar de su buena salud, Frei murió tras someterse a una operación rutinaria de hernia en la que contrajo una infección bacteriológica. Su familia siempre pensó que fue asesinado por agentes del dictador Pinochet. El juez Madrid, tras investigar el caso durante seis años le dio la razón a la familia en 2009 al determinar que el expresidente fue asesinado a lo largo de varios meses con gas mostaza y otra sustancia (talio) que debilitaron sus defensas ante posibles infecciones. El cable vaticinaba que los acusados apelarían la sentencia. Y así lo hicieron. Intentaron también apartar al juez del caso. Pero la Corte Suprema lo mantuvo en el cargo.
"Frei era uno de los líderes de la oposición a la dictadura militar de Pinochet y su inesperada muerte, combinada con otros asesinatos políticos, llevó a la familia Frei a sospechar que fue asesinado", indicaba el telegrama.
Autopsia sin autorización
El hijo de Frei Montalva es el ex presidente Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle (1994-2000), quien disputó la presidencia en las últimas elecciones al conservador Sebastián Piñera. El propio Piñera, tras ser elegido presidente el pasado enero de 2010, y con motivo de los 100 años del natalicio de Frei Montalva se comprometió "a hacer todo lo que sea necesario " para esclarecer "todas las circunstancias" del fallecimiento. Confesó que siempre había admirado la figura de Frei Montalva y señaló que si hubiera culpables no deberían quedar impunes. "Esto es un deber no solamente de la familia Frei, sino de todos los chilenos", aseguró.
"Menos de una hora después de su muerte", indicaba el telegrama, "los doctores de la Universidad Católica vinieron a la clínica Santa María y efectuaron una autopsia de Frei sin la autorización de la familia. La muy inusual autopsia fue supuestamente efectuada en la habitación del hospital donde Frei murió, usuando una cuerda para colgar el cuerpo de arriba abajo para drenar los fluidos del cuerpo en un recipiente. Algunos órganos, y en particular aquellos cuya composición química podrían indicar envenenamiento, fueron sacados y destruidos, y el cuerpo fue embalsamado".
El despacho reseñaba que el juez Madrid acusó por la muerte de Frei a seis individuos, entre ellos, Luis Becerra, chófer de Frei, quien admitió que era un agente del servicio de espionaje chileno (CNI) e informaba sobre las actividades de Frei. También estaba acusado Patricio Silva, el médico que supuestamente practicó la operación; y Helmar Rosenberg y Sergio González, médicos que supuestamente participaron en la autopsia.
"El juez Madrid pidió formalmente en 2004 la asistencia técnica de Estados Unidos. Personal del FBI estuvo presente durante el proceso de exhumación y se aseguraron de que se seguían los protocolos. Las Fuerzas Armadas del Instituto de Patología (institución chilena) dirigieron la prueba, que confirmó que los restos pertenecían a Eduardo Frei Montalva, pero no encontraron ninguna sustancia alcalina. (Las Fuerzas Armadas no encontraron nitrógeno de mostaza, ya que es altamente volátil y no hay análisis que pueda detectar esa sustancia en unos restos después de 20 años de la muerte). Se envió una copia de las pruebas toxicológicas al juez Madrid. Sin embargo, en 2005 el juez Madrid se quejó públicamente de que no había recibido los resultados y acusó a Estados Unidos de no cooperar en la investigación", indica el cable antes de señalar que a raíz de esas declaraciones se les envió otra copia de las pruebas.
Sin evidencias para asegurar que fue un "crimen"
El informe asegura que tal vez nunca se llegue a alcanzar un consenso en Chile sobre cómo murió el ex presidente. "Los agentes de inteligencia chilenos asesinaron o intentaron asesinar a un número de figuras políticas de la oposición, incluido Carlos Prats (antecesor de Pinochet como jefe del Ejército, ex vicepresidente y ministro de Allende, asesinado junto con su esposa en Buenos Aires, mediante una bomba en su coche); Orlando Letelier (antiguo embajador chileno en Estados Unidos que fue matado con un coche bomba en Washington) y Bernardo Leighton (prominente político de la oposición, ex ministro de Frei Montalva, tiroteado en Roma en un intento de asesinato). Además, los servicios de inteligencia son conocidos por trabajar secretamente en laboratorios dedicados a desarrollar agentes químicos y biológicos para usarlos contra enemigos políticos. Dentro de ese panorama y dada la buena salud del presidente y su papel en el liderazgo de la oposición al régimen de Pinochet, es fácil ver por qué su familia y los seguidores sospechan que fue asesinado".
El telegrama no cita el asesinato del líder sindical Tucapel Jiménez, quien fue tiroteado y degollado en febrero de 2009, sólo un mes después de la muerte de Frei. Primero se intentó encubrir como un asalto y después, se descubrió que era un crimen político.
En cuanto a la muerte de Frei Montalva, la embajada aseguraba en su informe que no disponía de evidencias para asegurar que se trató "de un crimen". Tanto las pruebas oficiales dirigidas por las Fuerzas Armadas como las extra oficiales por el doctor Centeno, no han mostrado niveles de toxicidad en ninguno de los elementos analizados. Dado el larguísimo tiempo que se ha producido desde la muerte de Frei y la destrucción de algunos órganos claves, la ciencia forense no puede demostrar una evidencia definitiva de que Frei fue asesinado".
La embajada concluye: "La trágica historia reciente de Chile continúa dividiendo a su gente y la muerte de este emblemático presidente parece destinada a ser un área más en el que la verdad completa nunca será conocida".
El juez Madrid, sin embargo, cree que se cometió un asesinato. En febrero Chile se encuentra en plenas vacaciones de verano, con la clase política, judicial y periodística disfrutando del equivalente a un agosto de España. A partir de marzo, el juez Madrid retomará la investigación sobre la muerte de Frei Montalva.
| ID: | 239545 |
| Date: | 2009-12-11 20:22:00 |
| Origin: | 09SANTIAGO937 |
| Source: | Embassy Santiago |
| Classification: | CONFIDENTIAL |
| Dunno: | 09SANTIAGO934 |
| Destination: | VZCZCXRO4146 OO RUEHAO RUEHCD RUEHGD RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHNG RUEHNL RUEHRD RUEHRS RUEHTM DE RUEHSG #0937/01 3452022 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O R 112022Z DEC 09 FM AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0416 INFO WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC RHMFISS/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC |
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 SANTIAGO 000937 SIPDIS AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN PASS TO AMEMBASSY GRENADA AMEMBASSY OTTAWA PASS TO AMCONSUL QUEBEC AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PASS TO AMCONSUL RECIFE E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/12/11 TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, KCRM, CI SUBJECT: CHILE: Six Charged in Death of Former Chilean President Eduardo Frei Montalva REF: SANTIAGO 934 CLASSIFIED BY: Laurie Weitzenkorn, A/DCM, State, US Embassy Santiago; REASON: 1.4(B), (D) 1. (SBU) Summary: On December 7, Judge Alejandro Madrid charged six individuals with assassinating former President Eduardo Frei Montalva in 1982. Frei, who is the father of the current presidential candidate Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle, died ostensibly of a bacterial infection after undergoing routine surgery. USG laboratory tests conducted to date have found no evidence of the poisoning that Judge Madrid alleges, though some of the substances alleged to have been used cannot be detected via laboratory tests. Even when a judicial decision is eventually reached in the case, Frei's death--like many other events surrounding the Allende and Pinochet governments--is likely to remain controversial, with Chilean opinions about the matter based more on ideology than fact. End Summary. Outline of an Alleged Assassination --------------------------------------------- - 2. (U) On December 7, Judge Alejandro Madrid charged six individuals in the 1982 death of former president Eduardo Frei Montalva. President Frei, who was 71 years old at the time of his death, was admitted to Clinica Santa Maria in Santiago for a routine hernia operation. Despite his overall good health, Frei died on January 22, 1982, ostensibly of a bacterial infection incurred during the surgery or his subsequent hospitalization. Frei was the leading figure in the opposition to military dictator Pinochet, and his unexpected death, combined with other political assassinations, led Frei's family and others to suspect that he was murdered. (Note: Eduardo Frei Montalva was president of Chile from 1964-70. He is the father of current presidential candidate Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle, who served as president from 1994-2000. End Note.) 3. (U) Judge Madrid's report alleges that Frei was slowly poisoned with thalium and mustard gas over a period of months. These substances allegedly weakened his immune system to the point that he was highly susceptible to infection, which Madrid alleges may have been purposefully transmitted. (Frei was also allegedly given a U.S.-manufactured product known as "Transfer Factor" which had not been approved by the FDA, though it is unclear what affects this substance had on his health.) 4. (U) Less than one hour after his death, doctors from the Catholic University Pathological Anatomy Department came to Clinica Santa Maria and performed an autopsy of Frei without the family's consent. The highly unusual autopsy was allegedly performed in the hospital room where Frei died, using a ladder to hang the body upside down in order to drain bodily fluids into the bathtub. Some organs, and in particular those whose chemical compositions might indicate poisoning, were removed and destroyed, and the body was embalmed. Chilean Investigation and Individuals Charged --------------------------------------------- --------------- 5. (U) Judge Madrid charged six individuals in the case. Three individuals are charged with actually committing the murder: --Luis Becerro, Frei's driver, who has admitted to secretly working for the Chilean intelligence service (CNI) and reporting on Frei's activities. --Raul Lillo, a Chilean intelligence agent who allegedly worked in a group dedicated to spying on Frei and other Christian Democrats. SANTIAGO 00000937 002 OF 004 --Patricio Silva, a doctor who allegedly performed surgery on Frei. Two others are charged as accessories: --Helmar Rosenberg, the doctor accused of performing the autopsy and embalming the president. --Sergio Gonzalez, a pathologist who also allegedly participated in the autopsy. One person is charged as an accomplice: --Pedro Valdivia, a doctor who allegedly worked at a medical facility run by the Chilean intelligence service. Madrid's report states that Valdivia entered the room while the autopsy was being performed. 6. (SBU) Judge Alejandro Madrid has been investigating the case since 2002, when the Frei family first learned about the unauthorized autopsy. The case is being conducted under Chile's old inquisitorial justice system, where Judge Madrid is investigator, prosecutor, and judge, and where there is no "trial" with oral arguments. (Note: Chile finalized its penal process reform to implement an oral, accusatorial system in 2005 and only cases occurring after the implementation date are tried under the new system. End note.) Under the system being used for this case, if a judge has brought charges, it is because he believes that he has the evidence to convict. The defendants now have the opportunity to submit judicial inquiries and proposals to try and limit the judge's ability to convict, but the most likely scenario is that Judge Madrid will end up issuing convictions and the defendant can then appeal. Convenient Timing: Charges Filed Six Days Before Election --------------------------------------------- ---------------------- ---------- 7. (SBU) The charges against the six individuals allegedly involved in the murder were filed on December 7--just six days before presidential elections pitting the deceased president's son and namesake, Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle, against conservative candidate Sebastian Pinera (from the Alianza coalition) and independent progressive Marco Enriquez-Ominami. Pinera and Enriquez-Ominami publicly expressed support for the Frei family when the news broke. However, some observers have questioned the timing of the charges, as media attention surrounding the case both emphasizes the image of the beloved and well-respected Eduardo Frei Montalva as well as bringing up the specter of military rule, which is still tied to the Alianza coalition in the minds of some voters. Judge Madrid has denied any political considerations in the timing of the charges. News reports state that the Frei family knew several days in advance that the charges were about to be filed. Press reports also state that Judge Madrid has an affinity for the Christian Democratic party, the party that Eduardo Frei Montalva helped to found and the party of his son, presidential candidate Edurado Frei Ruiz-Tagle. USG Involvement in Testing Frei's Remains --------------------------------------------- ----------- 8. (SBU) The Chilean government, the presiding judge, and an affiliated scientist have requested USG assistance in testing SANTIAGO 00000937 003 OF 004 Frei's remains a number of times, including sometimes by purposefully circumventing official channels. Judge Madrid first formally requested USG assistance in testing remains in 2004. The request was processed as a Foreign Police Cooperation Matter and FBI personnel were present during the exhumation process and ensured chain-of-custody protocols were followed. The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) conducted the testing , which confirmed that the remains were those of Eduardo Frei Montalva, but did not find any alkaline extractable substances. (Note: AFIP did not test for nitrogen mustard, as it is highly volatile and experts know of no analysis that would detect nitrogen mustard in remains 20 years after death. End Note.) Legatt sent a copy of the toxicology report to Judge Madrid. Nonetheless, in 2005, Judge Madrid publicly alleged that he had never received any testing results and accused the USG of failing to cooperate in the investigation. (Legatt later sent another copy of the toxicology report to Judge Madrid.) 9. (SBU) At a scientific conference in May 2007, Dr. Laura Borgel, a scientist at the University of Chile, discussed the scientific interpretation of recent forensic analyses with Dr. Jose Centeno of AFIP. Dr. Centeno offered to informally collaborate with Dr. Borgel in testing the samples at the AFIP lab, as Dr. Centeno's lab did not have the capability to do so. (Judge Madrid later told Legatt that Dr. Borgel never told Dr. Centeno that the specimens she provided belonged to Frei.) This collaboration was not authorized by the US or Chilean government and chain-of-custody and other procedures were not followed. 10. (SBU) In October 2007, Judge Madrid wrote to AFIP requesting the scientific collaboration of Dr. Centeno and AFIP. Post learned of the request when AFIP contacted the FBI Lab Division, who then informed Legatt. In a subsequent meeting with Legatt, Judge Madrid explained that he had purposefully tried to circumvent the need for additional authorization from the Supreme Court by not sending his letter through normal diplomatic channels. Legatt encouraged Madrid to make his request through proper channels. He never did, though in August 2008 Madrid used a diplomatic note to ask AFIP to agree to his October 2007 letter to AFIP requesting assistance. Ultimately, the State Department sent a diplomatic note to the Chilean MFA on January 9, 2009 along with a letter from Dr. Centeno to Dr. Borgel explaining that Dr. Centeno's informal testing found that metals, including thallium, were present only at background levels. 11. (SBU) U.S. involvement in the investigation took another strange turn in October 2009 when two Chilean Policia de Investigaciones (PDI) officers assigned to the Frei case attempted to speak with officials from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta. The officers wanted to know if the CDC sent strains of "clostridium botulinum" (toxin or antidote) to the Chilean Institute of Public Health in 1981 or 1982. The officers requested the meeting with the CDC through the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) rather than through a U.S. law enforcement agency, creating another situation where Chilean authorities did not follow proper protocols. After consulting with Post and WHA/BSC, the CDC declined to meet with the Chilean officers because they did not follow established rules for arranging such a meeting. The State Department's Chile desk officer verbally notified the Chilean Embassy in Washington about the need to follow proper channels when conducting investigations and Post's Legatt discussed the issue with the PDI officials. The Death of Eduardo Frei Montalva: Ghost Story or Assassination? --------------------------------------------- ---------------------- ---------------------- 12. (C) Comment: While Judge Madrid's charges will likely SANTIAGO 00000937 004 OF 004 eventually lead to a final judicial ruling about the guilt or innocence of the six men accused of participating in the death of Eduardo Frei Montalva, it seems very possible that no national consensus will ever be reached on how the former president died. Chilean intelligence agents assassinated or attempted to assassinate a number of opposition political figures, including Carlos Prats (pro-Allende Army Commander-in-Chief who was killed by a car bomb in Buenos Aires); Orlando Letelier (former Chilean Ambassador to the US who was killed by a car bomb in Washington, DC); and Bernardo Leighton (prominent opposition politician who was shot during an attempted assassination in Rome). In addition, the intelligence service is known to have secretly operated laboratories dedicated to developing chemical and biological agents to be used in targeting political enemies. Within that scenario, and given the formerly good health of the president and his role leading opposition to the Pinochet regime, it is easy to see why his family and supporters suspect that he was murdered. And Judge Madrid may have additional evidence which post is not aware of to support this conclusion. 13. (C) On the other hand, at present the Embassy is not aware of any direct evidence indicating foul play. Official tests conducted by AFIP and unofficial tests by Dr. Centeno have not shown toxic levels for any of the elements tested. Given the extremely long time since Frei's death and the destruction of some key organs, forensic science may not be able to provide definitive evidence whether Frei was murdered. Chile's tragic recent history continues to divide its people, and the death of this emblematic president seems destined to be yet one more area in which the full truth may never be known. End Comment. SIMONS | |
- Estados Unidos cree que nunca se sabrá si el expresidente chileno Eduardo Frei fue asesinado
- El presidente de Chile anuncia una querella criminal por la muerte del expresidente Frei
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