CHILE, THE U.S. & THE ECHO OF CYBERSYN In the early 1970s, Chile’s government explored Project Cybersyn, which used telex machines and a central operations room to monitor economic activity. The system was never fully implemented. The project unfolded amid intense political conflict. Declassified U.S. records document efforts by the United States to pressure and undermine Salvador Allende’s government, including economic and political measures. Separately, Chile’s armed forces carried out the September 1973 coup that overthrew Allende and established a military government. The documented U.S. role, the Chilean military’s responsibility for the coup, and the broader historical consequences are distinct issues. Historians continue to debate the extent and significance of U.S. involvement in the events leading to the coup. There is no evidence that Cybersyn caused the coup; its history is instead part of a wider discussion about technology, political power, and economic independence. Where are Chile and the U.S. today? They are close partners in trade, security, and critical minerals. Their trade reached an estimated $49.5 billion in 2025. China remains Chile’s largest goods-trading partner, with the United States second. The relationship has developed substantially, while the history of the 1973 coup and the role of outside powers remain subjects of public and scholarly discussion. Can countries cooperate while acknowledging a difficult past? Sources: U.S. trade data · Chile trade overview · U.S.–Chile agreements · Declassified records