Seguro Obrero massacre

Seguro Obrero massacre
Part of the interwar period

Troops of the Tacna Regiment pulling a cannon towards the occupied University of Chile building
Date5 September 1938
Location
Result

Chilean government victory

  • Surrendered rebels summarily executed
  • Ibañez withdraws his presidential candidacy
  • Arrest of Jorge González Von Marées and Óscar Jiménez
Belligerents
Nacistas

Government of Chile

Commanders and leaders
Jorge González von Marées
Carlos Ibáñez del Campo
Arturo Alessandri
Óscar Novoa
Humberto Arriagada Valdivieso
Strength
64 rebels
Casualties and losses
60 killed 1 killed
2 civilians killed by Carabineros

The Seguro Obrero massacre (Spanish: Matanza del Seguro Obrero, lit.'Workers Insurance's Massacre') occurred on 5 September 1938, and was the Chilean government's response to an attempted coup d'état by the National Socialist Movement of Chile (MNSCh), whose members were known at the time as Nacistas ("Nazis"). Known for their affinity towards violence in order to attain their goals, their occupation of the central building at the University of Chile and the Seguro Obrero building was responded to quickly and harshly by the Chilean government and the carabineros. After the failed coup, which involved a stand-off and shootout where one Nacista and one police officer (carabinero) were killed, the Nacistas surrendered after receiving assurances of not being harmed. However, the police then broke their promise and summarily executed the Nacistas, allegedly under the orders of President Arturo Alessandri. A total of 59 Nacistas were massacred, with only four of the rebels managing to escape. Two Seguro Obrero's employees were killed as well in the confusion.