(CNN) -- Chilean General and former President Augusto Pinochet died Sunday at 91, without ever being tried on accusations of ordering the torture and killing of thousands of people during his 1973-1990 regime. Considered a horrendous ruler by some and a savior by others, Pinochet is credited with laying the groundwork for Chile's modern market economy. His death sparked demonstrations by supporters and opponents.
We asked CNN.com readers what they though Pinochet's legacy would be. Here is a selection of the responses, some of which have been edited for length and clarity.
C. Andrew McGuffin of Raleigh, North Carolina
Pinochet being "credited" with laying the groundwork for Chile's modern market economy is no excuse for the documented, pervasive human rights violations, including torture and murder, that his junta imposed upon the Chilean people. It shames me that, like Janus, the United States encouraged, aided and abetted the dictatorship's inhuman behavior while all the time talking "freedom" and "democracy" from the other side of its head.
Glynn Moran of San Juan, Puerto Rico
History will eventually recognize Pinochet for his beneficial aspects more so than the negative. He is virtually 100% responsible for Chile's current superior economy, relative to the rest of Latin America, which for the most part, are borderline economic basket cases... No one can deny the charges against Pinochet for repression and brutality, but when compared to the likes of Fidel Castro, Pinochet was just a little boy in short pants.
Denise Roberts of Portland, Oregon
His legacy is one of torturing people, period. What a travesty that he was never tried for all of the things he had done to people. To make matters worse, my country was behind the coup that put him into power -- my apologies as an American to the Chilean people. I am beyond disgusted for what the United States government did.
Conrad Parrish of Evergreen, Colorado
Pinochet rescued the people of Chile from the ravages of communism and instituted a series of economic reforms that continue to serve Chile well. As with so many cold war era rulers, his human rights record is tarnished, but the enduring, positive changes he made for Chile's people will more than offset his abuses in the long term.
Jimmy Ramirez of Chicago, Illinois
I think that Chile owes a debt of gratitude to the personal sacrifice made by Augusto Pinochet. Here is a man who, if there is a God, as we were taught to know him, gave up his very soul for a vision of a strong and vibrant Chile. He said he would abdicate power after his work was done, and he did so. He said Chile would be a commercial and democratic beacon to the rest of the world, and he accomplished this vision. Apart from the horrors of war, he did what he set out to accomplish, and Chile is a better country for it.
Henry Warden of Mount Vernon, Ohio
I believe his legacy will be different for different persons. He is the reason Chile is number one in South America economically and will most likely be the first country in South American to become a "developed" nation under democratic rule. It is a question of whether or not a person believes "the end justifies the means." I think history will judge him less harshly than George W. Bush.
Linda Bleakley of Bella Vista, Arizona
It would appear that this [is] another testimony that the U.S. should stay out of other nations' politics. It also should stand that long term absolute power corrupts.
Alice Keh of San Francisco, California
U.S. media coverage of this notorious man provides us with a depiction of a cruel and murderous man. Yes, this man is responsible for horrifying human rights violations. What we are missing however is the rest of the story. Did anyone think about how Chile was before Pinochet? Pinochet, despite his failures, has done well for all Chileans whether we want to admit this or not. Those Chileans celebrating the death of Pinochet should stop and think about the freedom in which they live their lives today. Who is responsible for this luxury?
Manuel Laurido of Jersey City, New Jersey
Pinochet was one of the greatest men of the 20th Century. He was clever enough and had the courage to get rid of the menace of communism in his country. To him I bow and pay my respects.
Peter Ratcliffe of Skopje, Macedonia
I am British and lived 26 years in Chile... All leaders have good and bad. What I can say for Pinochet is that he was a Patriot, a Chilean, and he worked for his country. Therefore his legacy will be that firm determination to lead the Chilean people into the 21st century. His policy has been so successful that 15 years of democratic rule has not changed the route that Chile took under Pinochet.
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