Inti-Illimani, hailing from the late-'60s university milieu of Santiago, Chile, popularized the song "Venceremos" — the anthem of Popular Unity and Salvador Allende's presidency. They were on tour in Europe when Pinochet's coup happened, which left them effectively stranded there, as Pinochet's junta did not particularly care for them or their music. It was during their effective exile in Europe that they recorded this album, among others, which would circulate in Chile through bootleg recordings.

Inti-Illimani would only return to Chile in 1988, campaigning against the continuation of Pinochet's rule in that year's presidential referendum.