Chilean diplomat Orlando Letelier was killed in a car bombing on Embassy Row. Now, fifty years later, one of his assassins may soon be deported.
On September 21, 1976, in Washington, Orlando Letelier, along with his colleague Ronni Moffitt, died when a bomb exploded underneath their car. This deadly attack occurred on Embassy Row, a prominent location in the city. The blast, triggered by a remote control, left a significant impact, as it claimed the lives of two out of the three passengers.
Orlando Letelier, a former Chilean ambassador to the United States, became a target during a turbulent time in Chile’s history. Virgilio Paz Romero, a young militant from communist Cuba, is associated with activating the device that led to this tragic incident. The incident continues to resonate five decades later, with ongoing legal proceedings regarding Paz Romero’s status in the United States.
Today, a statue commemorating Letelier stands outside the Chilean ambassador’s residence in Washington. This monument serves as a reminder of the diplomat’s contributions and the political climate of that era.
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