Pinochet’s military rule in Chile lasted seventeen years. Throughout much of his rule, Pinochet enjoyed international support from Western countries like the United States and the United Kingdom. The Administration of President Reagan and Vice President George H.W. bush initially supported the Pinochet regime. President Reagan argued that “friendly dictatorships” like Pinochet’s regime in Chile could prevent the spread of the Soviet Union’s sphere of influence. UK Prime Minister Margret Thatcher reestablished relations with Chile and the Pinochet regime when her government came to power in 1979.