Eugenio Ortúzar Latapiat

Eugenio Ortúzar Latapiat (25 August 1924 – 25 October 2012) was a Chilean military officer, union leader, and politician, affiliated with the National Party.

Biography He was born in Temuco on 25 August 1924, the son of Juan Jerónimo Ortúzar Rojas and Julia Latapiat Jofré. At the age of 16, he began his military career, serving in various garrisons across the country. He married Irma Pruzzo, with whom he had four children: Gerónimo, Juan, Irma, and Paula.

In 1953, he settled in Quillota, dedicating himself to farming and becoming deeply involved in union and association leadership roles.

Public and Political Career He joined the National Party and in 1970 was elected councilman (regidor) of Quillota. During the 1973 parliamentary elections, he was elected as a deputy representing the Sixth Departmental Grouping (Valparaíso, Easter Island and Quillota) for the 1973–1977 term, serving on the Permanent Commissions of National Defense and Physical Education and Sports. However, his legislative work was terminated early by the 11 September 1973 military coup, and the Decree-Law 27 of 21 September formally dissolved the National Congress and ended his term.

In 1974, he was appointed mayor of Quillota by the Pinochet regime, a position he held until 1986.

Later, the Valparaíso Regional Government honored him with a plaque recognizing his recognition as a distinguished figure of Quillota Province, awarded in Valparaíso on 27 April 2007.