missing article 8 of the Constitution of Chile. This article outlawed political parties and individuals that propagated doctrines of the left (that is, those that promoted a doctrine "founded on the class struggle"). Such conviction mainly meant the loss of the exercise of their citizenship rights and he could only be rehabilitated as a citizen once the country had returned to democratic normality, by the same court that sentenced it. During the aftermath of the Pinochet dictatorship and during the first years of the so-called "Chilean transition to democracy" Almeyda led the leftist faction of Chilean socialism, with the renewed wing led by the leader Ricardo Núñez. In this role, "Don Cloro" (as he was popularly known), tried to establish contacts with the communists or even further to the left, through formations such as Izquierda Unida or the short-lived Broad Party of Socialist Left. During the government of Patricio Aylwin he was in charge of reopening the Chilean embassy in the Soviet Union during the last months of the Eastern Bloc. During his stay in Moscow in 1991, he accepted as "guest" former East German President Erich Honecker, who was wanted by the German authorities to be tried for crimes during the socialist regime. Despite Chile's objections, President of Russia Boris Yeltsin ordered his deportation to Berlin, in what turned into a serious diplomatic incident. Back in Chile he devoted himself to private life, writing his memories and working as an academic at the University of Chile, School of Sociology until his death on August 25, 1997. Tributes In homage to Almeyda, the "Extraordinary Congress" of the Socialist Party of Chile in May 1998 as well as its library was named after him. References 1923 births 1997 deaths Members of the Chamber of Deputies of Chile Chilean diplomats Chilean political writers Presidency of Salvador Allende Ambassadors of Chile to Russia Socialist Party of Chile politicians Foreign ministers of Chile Labour ministers of Chile Chilean Ministers of Mining Chilean Ministers of Defense Chilean people of Arab descent Chilean Marxists