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as a Marxist-Leninist group in Chile dedicated to long-time MIR member Sergio Uturbia and two
popular revolution. Founded by Miguel Enriquez, a Canadians Uturbia had met while in exile in Vancouver,
young medical student in Concepción, the MIR held David Spencer and Christine Lamont. When police
its first meeting in August 1965. burst into the house where the abductors were staying,
The group, made up primarily of young students all 10 surrendered. Officials said that the group had
associated with the Young Socialist Party, grew in kidnapped Diniz to get funds to support the MIR.
influence first in Chile’s provinces, and later among Pinochet was overthrown in 1990; subsequently,
university students in the capital, indigenous people, the MIR greatly reduced its activities.
industrial workers, and miners. At its strongest in 1970,
See also LAUTARO YOUTH MOVEMENT; MANUEL RODRIGUEZ
the MIR had some 40,000 members.
PATRIOTIC FRONT
In the mid-1960s, the MIR organized the poor and
homeless to take over land as squatters and to work Further Reading
cooperatively to build houses. By 1969, the MIR had
also developed an underground structure of armed Brazao, Dale. “Brazil Probes Canadians’ Terror Links.”
Toronto Star, December 31, 1989.
groups across the country. These groups began to rob
Constable, Pamela, and Arturo Valenzuela. A Nation of
banks; discussion was heated among the established
Enemies: Chile Under Pinochet. New York: Norton, 1991.
Chilean left about MIR’s evolution and tactics.
U.S. Department of State. “Chile Human Rights Practices,
Enriquez publicly claimed that the robberies funded
1992.” 1993 U.S. Department of State Dispatch, March
the MIR’s social programs, and it was reported that 1993.
the MIR gave stolen money directly to the poor.
When socialist Salvador Allende was elected presi-
dent in 1970, the MIR made an informal union with his MOVIMIENTO IZQUIERDA
Popular Unity Party. As the threat of a military coup
increased, the MIR worked against Allende’s wishes to REVOLUCIONARIA. See MOVEMENT OF
build up an armed popular force to fight Chile’s Army. THE REVOLUTIONARY LEFT.
After the 1973 military takeover in which Allende
was killed, Gen. Augusto Pinochet’s death squads
hunted down suspected MIR members, torturing and
killing them in detention centers; many MIR members MOVIMIENTO REVOLUCIONARIO
were murdered or exiled. Enriquez was killed in TUPAC AMARU. See TUPAC AMARU
October 1974. Andres Pascal Allende, nephew of the REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENT.
late president, assumed leadership of MIR and contin-
ued to operate a small underground network inside
Chile.
During the 1980s, the group carried out bombings MRTA. See TUPAC AMARU REVOLUTIONARY
and attacked targets related to the military govern- MOVEMENT.
ment. The MIR claimed responsibility for the January
1988 killing of high-ranking police squad chief Julio
Benimeli: The group set a booby trap with six TNT
charges inside a small house. “The formation of MSALAM, FAHID
an armed people’s power is needed to overthrow the MOHAMMED ALLY (1976– )
dictatorship and win freedom,” read part of the com-
muniqué the MIR released after the blast. aka Fahid Mohammed Ally, Fahid Mohammed Ali
In December 1989, the MIR kidnapped millionaire Musalaam, Fahid Mohammed Ali Msalam, Fahid
Brazilian businessman Abilio Diniz, abducting him in Muhamad Ali Salem, Mohammed Ally Msalam,
Usama al-Kini, Fahad Ally Msalam
a fake ambulance. Asking a ransom of $30 million, 10
MIR members held the supermarket magnate prisoner
for six days in a tiny room dug at the bottom of a well. Born in Mombasa, Kenya, Fahid Mohammed Ally
The kidnappers equipped the room with a mattress Msalam is alleged to be a member of the Al Qaeda
and a portable toilet, and piped in fresh air with hoses. network. He is said to have been directly involved in
Among those involved in the kidnapping were the 1998 attack on two U.S. embassies in East Africa,