The group was formed by Pablo Rodríguez Grez in 1970, and turned more and more clandestine throughout the presidency of Salvador Allende. It was officially disbanded on September 12, 1973, following Pinochet's coup. Members of PyL were then recruited by Chilean security services and participated in the persecution of those opposed to Pinochet's junta. Since the transition to democracy, some small groups have since claimed to be its successor, but are not officially linked to the original PyL.