---
born: 1925-09-30
category: Intelligence & Government
died: 2023-11-26
location: Puerto Montt, Chile
summary: In September 1988, Ari Ben-Menashe met with Stange in Chile to discuss Cardoen's
  chemical trade with Iraq.
tags:
- Person
- CIA
- Politician
- Military
---

[Rodolfo Stange](/people/rodolfo-stange/) was a General and chief of the Chilean Carabineros (paramilitary police). He was a significant figure in the Chilean government during the period of [Pinochet's](/people/augusto-pinochet/) rule and was involved in the country's arms trade and intelligence operations.[^1]

[Stange](/people/rodolfo-stange/) was present at a meeting in [Santiago](/places/santiago/), [Chile](/places/chile/), in late 1986, with [Carlos Cardoen](/people/carlos-cardoen/), [Robert Gates](/people/robert-gates/), Senator [John Tower](/people/john-tower/), and [Gen. Pieter Van Der Westhuizen](/people/pieter-van-der-westhuizen/) (South African Military Intelligence). At this meeting, [U.S.](/places/united-states/) officials reaffirmed their intention to maintain arms channels to [Iraq](/places/iraq/) through [South Africa](/places/south-africa/) and [Chile](/places/chile/).[^1]

In September 1988, [Ari Ben-Menashe](/people/ari-ben-menashe/) met with [Stange](/people/rodolfo-stange/) in [Chile](/places/chile/) to discuss [Cardoen's](/people/carlos-cardoen/) chemical trade with [Iraq](/places/iraq/). [Stange](/people/rodolfo-stange/) initially expressed concern about the trade but also indicated his loyalty to [Pinochet](/people/augusto-pinochet/) and his own political ambitions. He was aware of the [U.S.](/places/united-states/) backing for [Cardoen's](/people/carlos-cardoen/) activities. [Stange](/people/rodolfo-stange/) invited [Ben-Menashe](/people/ari-ben-menashe/) to dinner, where [Cardoen](/people/carlos-cardoen/) and [Mark Thatcher](/people/mark-thatcher/) were also present, a meeting that appeared to be staged to demonstrate Cardoen's connections.[^1]

[Stange](/people/rodolfo-stange/) was a key figure in the Chilean government's response to [Israeli](/places/israel/) pressure to halt arms sales to [Iraq](/places/iraq/). He was also involved in the plot to overthrow [President Stroessner](/people/alfredo-stroessner/) in [Paraguay](/places/paraguay/), aligning with [Gen. Andres Rodriguez](/people/andres-rodriguez/) and the [CIA](/organizations/central-intelligence-agency/). He had presidential aspirations in [Chile](/places/chile/) following [Pinochet's](/people/augusto-pinochet/) defeat in the plebiscite.[^1]

[^1]: Ben-Menashe, Ari. *Profits of War: Inside the Secret U.S.-Israeli Arms Network*. TrineDay, 1992.