Founded in 1983 as the armed wing of the Chilean Communist Party and named for the hero of Chile`s war of independence against Spain. Splintered into two factions in the late 1980s, and one faction became a political party in 1991. The dissident wing FPMR/D is Chile`s only remaining active terrorist group. FPMR/D attacks civilians and international targets, including US businesses and Mormon churches. In 1993, FPMR/D bombed two McDonald`s restaurants and attempted to bomb a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant. Successful government counterterrorist operations have undercut the organization significantly. Four FPMR/D members escaped from prison using a helicopter in December 1996. One of them, Patricio Ortiz Montenegro, fled to Switzerland where he requested political asylum. Chile requested Ortiz`s extradition, but the Swiss Government–fearing Chile would not safeguard Ortiz`s physical and psychological well-being–denied the request. Chilean authorities continued to pursue the whereabouts of the three others who escaped with Ortiz. Full Story and More Profiles
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