The Chilean right, including many of Gen Pinochet's wealthy associates, has achieved its objective of setting a national agenda in which the general and the country are seen as the victims of dark neo-colonialist forces and the machinations of "left-wing" organisations like Amnesty International.
With most of the media in its hands, the Chilean right has succeeded in pushing the case that any extradition of the former dictator to Spain would be a grave infringement of Chilean sovereignty which would rob Chileans of the right to try him. They allege this, even though Chile has signed the International Convention on Torture, which imposes not just the right, but the duty on every signatory to prosecute alleged torturers found on their territory.
Many of Chile's poor want to see Gen Pinochet face a Spanish court but are afraid of speaking out; the economy is depressed, jobs are difficult to find and retain, so the watchword for many is silence. Parties of the left have also been wrong-footed, fearing to criticise Gen Pinochet lest they appear unpatriotic.
The wave of nationalism meanwhile makes it all the more improbable that Gen Pinochet will face justice. Under the constitution he crafted before surrendering the presidency to a civilian government in 1990, Gen Pinochet is a senator for life and therefore enjoys parliamentary immunity. In theory this immunity could be lifted by court order, but the courts appear extremely reluctant to do so, and even it were to happen, it would be extremely unlikely that Gen Pinochet would face a civilian court. He would demand to be judged by a military tribunal, the civilian prosecutor would declare the case to be outside civilian competence and the army would let the general - still the cleverest politician and the most dangerous man on the Chilean scene - go.
The campaign to portray Gen Pinochet as victim rather than predator continues here with his supporters mounting fund-raising activities. His wife, Lucia, said last week that the pair were living off his pension and that the army was providing him with funds. One brave parliamentarian is attempting to extract more information from the Defence Ministry on what sort of subsidy the general is receiving from the Chilean taxpayer.
In fact, the Pinochet family is one of the richest in Chile, with extensive holdings in the mining and chemical industries.
The general is also receiving support from some conservative Catholics. Although he is reported to have joined the Masonic Order early in his military career, he has worked closely with Opus Dei, many of whose members he appointed to his cabinets. Opus Dei members are among his most fervent supporters and political analysts say they are mobilising considerable support for him.