Américo Zorrilla

Américo Zorrilla Rojas (22 February 1910 – 20 August 1992) was a Chilean linotypist, trade unionist and Communist politician. He was the first Minister of Finance of President Salvador Allende.

Biography Zorrilla worked from the age of fourteen in his father’s printing workshop. He specialized as a linotypist and later worked in various printing houses in Santiago and Valparaíso, becoming head of the Gutenberg printing workshop and of the University Press.

He joined the Communist Party of Chile in 1932. In 1940 he managed the party’s printing press and served as its general manager until 1947. He later held several positions in the party leadership, mainly in finance.

Under Allende’s presidency, he became Minister of Finance in 1970. His policy emphasized social spending financed by monetary issuance, which initially boosted the economy. However, inflation and shortages soon undermined the government, and he was replaced on 17 June 1972 by Orlando Millas.

After the 1973 Chilean coup d'état, Zorrilla was detained and later went into exile in Moscow. He returned to Chile during the transition to democracy, retiring from active politics.

He was married to Dora Hortensia Álvarez and had two daughters.