On September 21, 1976, a tragic event unfolded on Embassy Row in Washington. Orlando Letelier, a former Chilean ambassador to the United States, lost his life in a car bombing. The attack also claimed the life of his colleague Ronni Moffitt. This brutal incident is marked by a statue outside the Chilean ambassador’s residence, serving as a somber reminder of the violent history.
Orlando Letelier’s assassination was meticulously executed. A bomb was strategically placed under the car’s driver seat. As the vehicle moved through Sheridan Circle on Embassy Row, the explosion fatally wounded two of its occupants.
Fifty years after this dramatic event, attention has turned to Virgilio Paz Romero. He was once a militant refugee from communist Cuba, accused of detonating the bomb using a remote control. His role in this incident left a dark mark on history.
Now, after decades, Virgilio Paz Romero faces possible deportation. This development arises amidst ongoing efforts to address past crimes and deliver justice. The impending deportation signals a potential closing chapter on a notable historical case, continuously resonating with those who remember the events of 1976.
