José Manuel Isla

José Manuel Isla Hevia (2 October 1916 – 17 October 1971) was a Chilean lawyer and politician, member of the Falange Nacional and later the Christian Democratic Party.

He was deputy from 1957 to 1961 and again from 1965 to 1969; he served as Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies from 25 May 1965 to 31 January 1967; elected senator in 1969, serving until his death in 1971.

Early life He was born in Melipilla on 2 October 1916, son of Pedro Isla and Teresa Hevia Alfaro. He studied primary in Colegio San Ignacio (1925-1929) and secondary at Instituto O'Higgins of Rancagua and Liceo de San Fernando. He studied law at the University of Chile and Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, graduating in 1945 with the thesis "Bases para una Futura Legislación de Crédito Agrícola".

He married María Estela Godoy Silva; they had two daughters: María Loreto and María Valeria.

Political career He began his political activity in the Falange Nacional during university, serving as secretary general in 1945. He later joined the Christian Democratic Party in 1957.

He was elected deputy in 1957-1961 and again in 1965-1969, representing the 9th Departmental Grouping (Rancagua, Cachapoal, Caupolicán and San Vicente), serving on commissions including Defense National, Government Interior, Foreign Relations, Vías y Obras Públicas, Educación Pública, and Minería e Industria.

Between 25 May 1965 and 31 January 1967 he was Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies.

In 1969 he was elected senator for the O'Higgins & Colchagua provinces. His term was interrupted by his death on 17 October 1971.

Later life and death During his senatorial term, on 9 February 1970 he suffered a serious car accident in Santiago, which left him with lasting physical effects. He died on 17 October 1971 in Santiago. A special election was held on 16 January 1972 to fill his seat, won by Rafael Moreno Rojas.