Geisel, Pinochet and the transfer of Brazilian weapons to Chile, 1974-1979: geopolitics, business, and military-technical cooperation

Abstract

The paper discusses Brazilian-Chilean relations during the governments of Ernesto Geisel and Augusto Pinochet, between 1974 and 1979. The essay focuses on the decision-making process that resulted in massive transfers of material for military use –including major weapons– made in Brazil to Chile, making the Andean country one of the main recipients of Brazilian weapons in the world. The manuscript is the result of research using primary sources consulted at the National Archives and the Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is concluded that the security relations between the actors were based on elective affinities, geopolitical convergences, commercial in terests, and military-technical cooperation.