César Ruiz Danyau

César Ruíz Danyau (born 26 October 1918 – 21 November 1990) was a Chilean military officer, politician and diplomat. He served in the National Air Force, in which he held the office of Commander-in-Chief between 1970 and 1973.

In August 1973, he formed part of President Allende's military-civilian cabinet as Minister of Public Works and Transportation, a post in which he lasted nine days until resigning after not resolving the truck drivers' strike.

He left both the command-in-chief and the ministry on August 18, and after the September 11 coup that deposed Allende's government, collaborated with the military regime, being designated as Rector of Universidad de Chile (1973–1974) and finally as Ambassador to Japan (1979–1982).

By the end of Pinochet's rule, he was nominated as Institutional Senator by the National Security Council (COSENA), in accordance with the Constitution of 1980, on the eve of the transition to democracy. He was sworn in on March 11, 1990, and remained in the post until his death in November that year.

Biography He was born on 26 October 1918 in Angol, Chile. He was the son of Alberto Ruíz Diez and Marta Danyau Rivas.

He married María Sonia Asmussen Fuenzalida, with whom he had four children.

Professional career He completed his primary education at the Liceo de San Felipe, in the present-day Valparaíso Region, and his secondary studies at the Liceo de Hombres of Angol.

In 1937, at the age of 19, he entered the Military School as an aviation officer cadet. His military career developed within the Chilean Air Force. In 1939 he was promoted to Second Lieutenant and received the title of War Pilot.

In March 1955 he was appointed Deputy Director of the War Academy. In 1958 he assumed as Commander of Group No. 6, and in 1959 as Commander of Wing No. 3.

He also held various positions in the private and public sectors. He served as president of ANACO; president and general manager of Fulmet; chairman of the board of NRC; planning director of CEMET; administrative vice president of Banco Español; and president of Águilas Blancas.

Political career He began his public career in 1961, when he was appointed Secretary General of the Chilean Air Force, while simultaneously serving as Aeronautical Attaché at the Embassy of Chile in Peru.

In 1964 he assumed as Director of the Aviation School, and in 1967 as Military Chief of the Northern Region. He was later appointed Chief of the General Staff.

After taking office, President Salvador Allende appointed him Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Air Force (FACH), a position he held until 17 August 1973.

During Allende’s administration he was appointed Minister of Public Works and Transport, serving for only eight days before resigning in August 1973, which also led to his retirement from the Commandership-in-Chief.

Between 3 October 1973 and 24 July 1974, he served as Delegate Rector of the University of Chile.

In 1979 he was appointed Ambassador of Chile to Japan, a post he held until 1982.

On 19 December 1989, the National Security Council, in accordance with the constitutional provisions then in force, appointed him Senator for the 1990–1998 term, in his capacity as former Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Air Force.

He died in Santiago on 21 November 1990 at the Military Hospital.