About John Biehl
Lived 1939 – 2023 (aged 84). John Biehl was a Chilean diplomat and lawyer.
John Henry Biehl del Río (; 26 August 1939 – 17 December 2023) was a Chilean lawyer, political scientist, and diplomat who served as the cabinet-level Minister Secretary-General of the Presidency for Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle's administration.
Early life Biehl was of Danish ancestry. He studied law at the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso in his home city, and later national development in the Netherlands, and finally political science at the University of Essex, where he received his Master's degree. As a United Nations official working for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Biehl also lived in Honduras, Mexico, and Panama. However, Biehl was forced out of the UN in 1987 after demands by the United States government, due to unhappiness in the Reagan administration over his part in Arias' opposition to funding of the Contras.
During the administration of President Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle, Biehl was appointed Chile's ambassador to the United States. He served from 1998 to 1999.
After the government As of 2023, Biehl worked for the Organization of American States (OAS), in the Department of Political Affairs. Among other things, he was named by the Secretary General, fellow Chilean José Miguel Insulza, special envoy to direct the mission to observe the regional and presidential elections in Nicaragua, conducted 5 March through 5 November 2006. Biehl died on 17 December 2023, at the age of 84.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in John Biehl's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped John Biehl's
Frequently asked questions
Who was John Biehl?
Chilean diplomat (1939–2023)
When was John Biehl born?
John Biehl was born on 26 August 1939 in Valparaíso.
When did John Biehl die?
John Biehl died on 17 December 2023.
What was John Biehl's occupation?
John Biehl was a diplomat and lawyer.
What nationality was John Biehl?
John Biehl was Chilean.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Biehl. https://biography.guide/john-biehl/
MLA: "John Biehl." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-biehl/.
Chicago: "John Biehl." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-biehl/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:00 UTC