Blackwell Reference Online

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The Manuel Rodriguez Patriotic Front (FPMR) is a political-military organization that operated in Chile from December 14, 1983. In its early years it worked as an armed extension of the Chilean Communist Party (CChP). It was formed against the background of military dictatorship and progressive growth of popular discontent. This contingent was formed mainly by communist militants trained militarily in Cuba. After a 1973 coup in Chile the Communist Party, with support from countries like Cuba, East Germany, Bulgaria, and Vietnam, began the military preparedness of young communists to graduate as officers and promote a force in Chile's military capable of sustaining a popular victory. This system provided Chile with about 200 officers. In 1978 some of them were sent to Nicaragua to fight alongside the Sandinista National Liberation Front . These officers are those who later led the FPMR. In 1980 the CChP proclaimed the People's Political Mass Revolt that validated all forms of struggle against the dictatorship. Its first job was the formation of the Front Zero as the embryo of what would become the FPMR three years later. The work began with small military combat units responsible for carrying out destabilizing actions. In 1982 a military command structure within the party itself, with the capacity to plan and decide on direct actions, was implemented. Approximately 130 new fighters ... log in or subscribe to read full text