Cipriano Pontigo Urrutia

Cipriano Agustín Pontigo Urrutia (28 August 1913 – 5 May 1972) was a Chilean merchant and politician, member of the Communist Party of Chile.

He served several terms as Deputy for the 4th Departamental Group (La Serena, Coquimbo, Elqui, Ovalle, Combarbalá and Illapel), during the XL Legislative Period (1945–1949), the XLIV Legislative Period (1961–1965), the XLV Legislative Period (1965–1969), and the XLVI Legislative Period (1969–1973).

Early life Born in Canela in 1913, he was the son of Cipriano Pontigo Valderrama and Catalina Urrutia Elguera. He studied at the Liceo de Hombres de La Serena. He married Matilde Aída Varela Hernández, with whom he had nine children.

Political career Pontigo began his political career as a member of the Communist Party of Chile in 1935. He served as secretary general of the Communist Youth of La Serena and was active in organizing workers and miners in northern Chile.

In the 1945 elections, he was elected Deputy for the 4th Departamental Group, serving on the Permanent Commissions of Agriculture and Colonization, and Finance.

In the 1961 elections, he returned to Congress and was reelected in 1965 and 1969. He served on the Permanent Commissions of National Defense, Social Legislation and Labor, Interior Government, Hygiene and Social Assistance, Public Works, Mining, and Finance. He also participated in special investigative commissions on health, education, sports, and economic issues.

Among his legislative initiatives, he co-sponsored the law granting import franchises to the truck drivers' union of Coquimbo in 1970.

He was persecuted during different periods, including relegations to Chiloé and Negrete due to his Communist militancy.

Death Pontigo died in Santiago on 5 May 1972 while still in office. His vacant seat was filled in a by-election by Communist candidate Amanda Altamirano.