Chile Nazi Party members escorted by carabineros, 1938

On September 5th 1938, members of Chile’s National Socialist Movement, known as “Nacistas”, attempted a coup d’état in order to remove the liberal government from power, avoid the election of liberal-conservative Gustavo Ross Santa María as president, and place in power the Popular Alliance candidate, Carlos Ibáñez del Campo.

As the coup d’état failed following a series of shootings, Nacistas chose to surrender after being given assurances that their lives will be spared and they will be treated fairly.

However, the Nacional Socialist Movement members were lined up before a wall and shot, despite the promises they received. Approximately 80 Nacistas were killed in the events, almost 60 of them being executed after surrendering.

This has remained known as the Seguro Obrero massacre (Matanza del Seguro Obrero), and it is considered the main reason for which Popular Front candidate Pedro Aguirre Cerd won the election in 1938, as the massacre caused backlash against the liberal government and presidential candidate.

Book suggestion ⤵️

📖 Latin America During World War II (Graeme S. Mount, George Lauderbaugh, Daniel M. Masterson, John F. Bratzel, Thomas M Leonard, 2006)