Orlando Letelier, a prominent Chilean diplomat and political figure, was assassinated in Washington, D.C. in a calculated attack orchestrated by the Chilean government under the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. Letelier had been a vocal critic of Pinochet, who came to power following a military coup in 1973 that ousted the democratically elected government of Salvador Allende. The assassination was executed using a car bomb placed under Letelier's vehicle as he drove down Massachusetts Avenue, killing him instantly. This incident highlighted the extent of Pinochet's regime in targeting opponents beyond Chile's borders.

Letelier had played significant roles in Chilean politics prior to the coup, serving as the ambassador to the United States. After his exile, he continued to advocate for democracy and human rights from the U.S. His assassination, along with that of his American colleague Ronni Moffett, drew international condemnation and raised awareness about human rights abuses in Chile. The tactics employed were emblematic of the brutal measures taken against dissidents, which included forced disappearances and state-sponsored violence.

This attack is seen as part of a larger pattern of covert operations carried out by Pinochet’s regime, reflecting an alarming trend of foreign meddling and assassination of political opponents. The aftermath of Letelier’s assassination led to increased scrutiny of U.S. involvement in Latin American politics and sparked discussions about the nature of state-sponsored terrorism. Judicial proceedings followed as the U.S. government opened investigations into the incident, further complicating international relations between Chile and the United States.