Alfredo Cerda Jaraquemada

Alfredo Cerda Jaraquemada (Santiago, 14 December 1900 – Santiago, 27 October 1984) was a Chilean agricultural engineer and conservative politician.

He served as Deputy and later Senator for Aconcagua and Valparaíso between 1937 and 1961.

Biography Family and education He was born in Santiago on 14 December 1900, the son of Alfredo Cerda Cerda and Rebeca Jaraquemada Silva.

He studied at the Sacred Hearts School, Santiago and later at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, graduating in 1920 as an agricultural engineer.

Professional career Cerda managed the family estate San Lorenzo in Petorca and owned the *Orrego Arriba* estate in Casablanca. He was vice-president of the Banco del Pacífico and took part in various agricultural and business organizations.

Family life In 1925 he married Anita García Velasco, with whom he had two children, including future parliamentarian Eduardo Cerda García.

Political career A member of the Conservative Party and later of the United Conservative Party, Cerda was mayor of Cabildo in 1932 and city councilor between 1934 and 1937.

He was elected Deputy for the 5th Departmental District (San Felipe, Petorca and Los Andes) for the 1937–1941 term, serving on the Committee on Constitution, Legislation and Justice, and was reelected for 1941–1945 as a member of the Committee on Agriculture and Colonization.

In 1945 he became Senator for the 3rd Provincial District (Aconcagua and Valparaíso), joining the Committees on Government and Public Works. Reelected for 1953–1961, he served on the Committees on Government and Agriculture and Colonization and was Vice President of the Senate (1959–1961).

Other activities Cerda was a member of the Club de La Unión and of the Club Hípico de Santiago.

Death He died in Santiago on 27 October 1984 at the age of 83.