Outwitting a Dictator: The Resistance Playbook from Chile to America
How Underground Activists Kept the Truth Alive Under Dictatorship—And What We Can Learn From Them Today
Listen up, because this is a lesson in how to resist fascism when the government turns against its own people. This is not theory. This is not an intellectual exercise. This is what happens when democracy falls—and what the people who refuse to bow down do about it.
Let’s talk about Chile in 1973.
A U.S.-backed military coup toppled the democratically elected government and installed Augusto Pinochet, a fascist dictator who ruled through murder, torture, and fear. The world—especially the United States—did nothing. Worse, many governments supported him. The Chilean people were cut off, isolated, and left to fend for themselves.
But here’s what the regime didn’t count on: the people fought back. And they didn’t just survive—they built an underground resistance that kept their ties to the free world alive, even when their government tried to erase them.
Now, why does this matter? Because we’re staring down our own fascist movement right here in the United States. And if Trump kills democracy for good, we will have to do what the Chilean resistance did—find ways to keep the truth alive and keep our alliances strong even when our government turns against us.
So, let’s break it down.
How Chileans Kept their International Connections Alive
When Pinochet turned Chile into a police state, his first move was cutting the country off from the world. No dissent. No outside help. No way for the people to prove they weren’t on board with fascism.
They had to get creative. And they did.
The Exile Network: Government-in-waiting
The first wave of resistance wasn’t in Chile—it was outside of it.
Journalists, students, and activists who escaped before the full crackdown created an exile network.
They leaked documents and eyewitness accounts to foreign press and governments.
They lobbied international organizations to recognize that the Chilean people were under occupation—not willing participants.
They funneled money, resources, and training back home to keep the resistance alive.
LESSON FOR US: If Trump turns America into a dictatorship, exiled Americans will have to do more than Xeet about it. They’ll have to become the resistance abroad, rallying support, exposing crimes, and making sure democratic governments don’t turn their backs on us.
Smuggling the Truth Out of Prison and the Country
Pinochet’s regime jailed, tortured, and executed political opponents, thinking that would silence them. It didn’t.
Prisoners wrote messages on scraps of paper, smuggled out in food deliveries.
Women visiting jailed activists memorized statements and passed them on to foreign press.
Underground radio stations transmitted news to international allies—even as the government tried to shut them down.
LESSON FOR US: When fascists take over, they shut down communication. If we wait until then to start figuring out secure networks, it’ll be too late. We need to start using encrypted messaging, VPNs, and decentralized networks now.
The Underground Press and Art as Resistance
Censorship was total. So Chileans created their own media.
They printed illegal newspapers on smuggled presses and distributed them hand-to-hand.
Artists turned murals into coded messages—reminders that the people weren’t beaten yet.
Folk musicians like Víctor Jara wrote protest songs—until the regime murdered him.
LESSON FOR US: Fascists fear art, because they can’t control it. Expect book bans, censorship laws, and propaganda—but also expect a cultural rebellion. We will need underground publications, banned books, encrypted newsletters, and protest art in every city.
Hitting Fascists Where it Hurts: Economic Pressure
Pinochet’s Chile relied on international trade. The resistance knew that—and so did their allies abroad.
Dockworkers in the U.S. and Europe refused to unload Chilean cargo.
International activists pushed for corporate boycotts of Chilean businesses.
Chilean embassies abroad were shut down by protestors, forcing foreign governments to take a stand.
LESSON FOR US: Follow the money. If fascists take over America, their power depends on economic cooperation. That means boycotts, strikes, and divestment campaigns must become a core strategy. No business that collaborates with fascism should be allowed to operate in peace.
Building a Parallel Economy
Inside Chile, people created an underground economy to survive without relying on the government.
Barter systems emerged in communities cut off from resources.
Secret supply chains funneled goods to activists and resistance fighters.
International funding helped pay for underground schools, press, and networks.
LESSON FOR US: Fascists will use economic control as a weapon—freezing bank accounts, controlling access to food and medical care, and punishing businesses that don’t fall in line. We will need alternative systems—everything from barter networks to off-the-books job markets to encrypted fundraising.
What this Means for Us in 2025
Let’s be real: the U.S. is not Chile in 1973. Not yet. But we are closer to dictatorship than we have ever been, and the time to prepare is now.
So here’s what we do:
Start using encrypted communication NOW. Don’t wait for a crackdown—learn how to use Signal, VPNs, and offline networks today.
Strengthen international connections while we still can. Build relationships with democratic allies, because we may need their support later.
Support independent media. If corporate news starts running fascist talking points, we need our own sources of truth. Fund them. Read them. Share them.
Hit fascists in the wallet. Boycott businesses that fund the regime. Pressure corporations. Build alternative markets.
Make art dangerous. Music, murals, comedy, film—all of it can be a weapon. Use it.
The Final Takeaway
The Chilean people never stopped fighting. Even when their government became a dictatorship. Even when the world abandoned them. Even when they had to build an entire underground society just to survive.
And in the end? They won.
If Trump turns America into a dictatorship, we will not go quietly. We will not let the world think we are complicit. We will not let them cut us off, silence us, or erase us.
We will build networks. We will fight back. We will prove that America is still alive—even if our government is dead. Because fascism only wins if we let it.
Stay loud. Stay bold. Stay American.
Join the Resistance. Share this Post. Prepare Now.
Liked this? You might like my book, The Rebel’s Playbook: A How-To Guide for Resistance available in print and digital.
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This one sounds unusual, but I've found it helpful. Take care of yourself. It helps regenerate your energy and your soul. They advise you to put on your own oxygen mask first during a plane emergency for a good reason - you can't help others if you can't help yourself. I go to movies to escape for a couple hours. What's everyone else doing?