MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Pinochet Undergoes Tests for Pacemaker

Former dictator Gen. Augusto Pinochet underwent tests to determine whether doctors should replace the pacemaker he has had for seven years, an aide said. No decision was immediately announced on whether the 87-year-old former ruler will need a new device to control his heart beat.

"There is no crisis, no problems, but the tests were ordered because of the long time he has had the device," said retired Gen. Guillermo Garin, a Pinochet spokesman. "He has been in good condition recently, and the most serious condition he has is diabetes."

Pinochet suffers from mild dementia, arthritis and diabetes and has had several mild strokes since 1998. He has lived largely in seclusion for the last three years, but he was seen in public a few times last month when he vacationed in southern Chile with his wife and family.

Nearly 3,200 people were killed during Pinochet's 1973-90 reign, mainly for political reasons, according to an investigation by the civilian government that succeeded him. Chile's Supreme Court ruled last year that Pinochet is mentally and physically unfit to stand trial.