Alfonso David Lebón

Alfonso David Lebón (1 December 1921 – 23 October 1992) was a Chilean merchant, farmer and politician.

He served as a member of the Chamber of Deputies of Chile from 1953 to 1961, as Minister of Mining in July 1972 under President Salvador Allende, and as Chile’s ambassador to Canada from 1971 to 1973.

Family and education He was born in Antofagasta, the son of Francisco David Deek and Matilde Lebón Francisco. He studied at the Colegio de los Hermanos Maristas in Los Andes. He later worked as a merchant and farmer at the “Los Tamarindos” estate.

On 5 July 1958, he married Astrid Olga Manni Bittner, with whom he had a son.

Political career Lebón began his political career in the Agrarian Labor Party and was elected deputy in the 1953 elections for the 5th Departmental Group (San Felipe, Petorca, and Los Andes), serving from 1953 to 1957, and re-elected for the 1957–1961 term. During his first term he served on the Public Education Committee, and in his second term he joined the Interior Government Committee. After leaving Parliament, he joined the Socialist Party of Chile.

In 1969, he became a member of the Independent Popular Action (API), eventually serving as party president. He supported Allende’s 1970 presidential campaign, after which he was appointed ambassador to Canada. In July 1972, he briefly held the post of Minister of Mining, serving from 10 to 28 July. He later served as vice-president of the Instituto de Seguros del Estado (ISE) between December 1972 and September 1973.

He was also involved in civic organizations such as the Fire Department of Chile, the Aero Club, and the Chilean Football Federation, where he served as vice-president of the Second Division.

Lebón died in Santiago on 23 October 1992.